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| Created Epoch | 1,703,105,070 |
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| Created | 12/20/23, 2:44 PM |
| Modified | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM |
| Status | completed |
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| Dataset External No | m5SwEfKFF2r6FLMGe |
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| 55941 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/13/25, 6:55 PM | 1703105775 | 1744588518 | 65 | 888450545816060 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207708017130456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390904 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583313_6368181866615246_5617410809345471333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V9NHr2vTR1IAX8S5u_c&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBfYZ7lEmuCM52KldUZoy2WU06Ps3n6gdnZUkGgqQY0JQ&oe=65885524 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409713197_1031735348085319_5059745435659150882_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IjWvnibr2DoAX9IDSfK&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB30vfZoMmPzlUMPQYCSF9iEo9z3jyV7pe53ERZKVN22w&oe=6588EE97 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56945 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 4:45 AM | 1703105786 | 1747043104 | 65 | 867996314734535 | 5 | 2.7834020851566E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779365580250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678775 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404286689_2650950335067980_8718050196012372022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T57PZ_o1Z7UAX-5pTqF&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCX1zcke-w0o1UJFzyM9TIpzOajqZQ6dSTevw2jseXPQQ&oe=658845FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56895 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/21/25, 4:46 PM | 1703105785 | 1745271982 | 65 | 322900867349471 | 7.2234098268851E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109657078608486 | 0 | Learn Something | 120200721153830167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679055 | 1.0965707860849E+14 | Learn Something | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405499495_6696053400449536_785684262627965749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NOCFM-m1mYAX8cbsZ-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCujPdBQBpa-1_2bRH4UELmyfiZVzyNWCweOseh3u7twQ&oe=65887AB5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Learn Something | 5352 | https://facebook.com/100086954096959 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56706 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/5/25, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1749149902 | 65 | 1378150323093278 | 2 | 7.2171919612122E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674065750115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969810 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404640097_860173359113729_6731397493697596601_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0jaKzP7xrccAX_un9Bo&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxzRacMObY-2cwf3f1OJY6vN7KNJqt9IzQTJEow5Qu4w&oe=65877815 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404747588_1004387350674921_6348991184780773022_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xxXmRT01isUAX93Oipz&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfApaevEudICx0EhBcMtZ0A5I1csVEhqlWmzXBgbbToV8w&oe=65885567 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56165 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 6:18 AM | 1703105777 | 1747048688 | 65 | 824645612768983 | 3.6017906668063E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104004358796647 | 0 | IMIND Mental Health | 120200829735590224 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Two Minute Free Online Depression Assessment | http://fb.me/ | 1699645053 | 1.0400435879665E+14 | IMIND Mental Health | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400734941_362076516342456_8687727955540156741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ddIT21z50CwAX_hy7Tk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD0Bk3a60NEzRHr0SoxAoTLjUufctaSXJZyh6S_Jvwvvg&oe=6588737D | person_profile | 0 | iMind Mental Health Solutions | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400742745_604389355070621_8849427130824172488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yn0KOutdmDIAX8wnt_w&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD1L0HwvvRBTqpbcgYyJgBglCsbVbbNK5MJR7-NYPvgng&oe=65878258 | 0 | 3 | Many depression sufferers have tried everything. <br /> <br /> They've tried anti-depressants...sometimes 3 or 4 different kinds.<br /> <br /> They've tried traditional "talk" counseling.<br /> <br /> They've tried following mental health advice.<br /> <br /> They’ve listened to their friends and family tell them to “just choose to be happy”.<br /> <br /> But for many people suffering from depression, none of the above have truly helped them find lasting relief.<br /> <br /> Until now.<br /> <br /> A new form of treatment known as Brainsway TMS Therapy has been clinically proven to be effective at treating depression at its source.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy uses magnetic-stimulation to reach the part of the brain that controls whether a person feels happy or sad.<br /> <br /> In fact, Brainsway TMS Therapy has been proven to be effective for patients who didn't respond to traditional depression treatments.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS therapy can potentially help depression sufferers get off their antidepressants, which is a major plus for many patients.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy is:<br /> <br /> ☑️ Safe<br /> ☑️ FDA-approved<br /> ☑️ Medication-free<br /> ☑️ Covered by most insurances<br /> ☑️ No systemic side effects<br /> <br /> Thinking Brainsway TMS Therapy may be the right choice? And want more information? <br /> <br /> Here’s what to do:<br /> <br /> Click "Learn More" below<br /> Fill out the form (30 seconds)<br /> Schedule a free phone consultation.<br /> <br /> Talk soon!<br /> <br /> Dr. JoAnna VanVleet, D.O., D.F.A.P.A.<br /> iMind Mental<br /> Port St. Lucie, FL<br /> <br /> For faster service, call (877) 355-8780 | IMIND Mental Health | 219 | https://facebook.com/iMindMentalHealth | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56844 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 7:05 AM | 1703105785 | 1747051523 | 65 | 740275724793242 | 7 | 2.114637285704E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207693510403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724103 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402664104_316420717861727_2635072416390543245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eogOitF_t8sAX9_P4bh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB1rCA5LyZrWZoqd7XOzO_BxR49vI98FVl0eYlioawvKQ&oe=658757B3 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402662890_1763016054196482_7166727921242396495_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qpvfUeuV0z4AX8t6U90&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCQI5iWm8QMF5xbgFrpFLuYxTgYhu3A60STymn_wnsmxw&oe=6587E736 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56085 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 8:21 AM | 1703105776 | 1747056085 | 65 | 1046430226482193 | 2 | 7.3060463228822E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204866616160427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702207792 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406476572_357819306794300_78169672285947900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QZ63iO79asgAX9QVp6z&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAAtt3ptp8Gk85SklnMyuZ8kegi80fqYEtzVsEuSNh8Rw&oe=6588188A | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406472808_275314135126418_4622004728332189307_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=566qaev-59MAX8zsbn2&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC9CXixE-dgs_TCwgKyZFXsHKK73tXBgAs-Y06bECpkTw&oe=65892C76 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55774 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/9/25, 4:07 PM | 1703105773 | 1741554468 | 65 | 877736760484740 | 3 | 3.085052154829E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409820886_869553314870086_3886422058259776621_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-VKwcOQfAr8AX8OaoVn&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfADgsNeKipCsbL0mXFJREifA1vF5iCUS5a9sHWYPjyYEA&oe=65885BD9 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55563 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 1:11 PM | 1703105771 | 1747073505 | 65 | 1539031053598074 | 2 | 3.4592548147453E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011752200506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702637068 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410162100_1539238783518140_3543192232717280269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsM5zYdMSicAX9d-7Km&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCz4e_IrLk_6KleZ1PzWn8TEdXhwmOS0LIU90of5yzgpw&oe=6587506B | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410187905_1602742983466838_8532536963873533518_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oog5ca6YbNQAX8p_G3I&_nc_oc=AQlT-dxq5Sy3RZb4FsEf3zd7AWfPhioPKN3-cmM2FKju56hYtMnVnVKRauvjTCzcK6Y&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDh1u9-i_jA6SAXQ-qMwag3PeYZRaSMeuvhITt40uilrA&oe=65889921 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55752 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105772 | 1746746474 | 65 | 899773895151682 | 8.7957657712288E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548083209 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494399 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409728886_2227808237421522_1782012417874167670_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ICromogFUJgAX-7MJjI&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAbsjLQLU8lLpADalSD-OXm2NE7wTepNb3dDwiWpJpPtg&oe=6588FC78 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583450_1392436398352706_4837943365436171640_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MHZu1vElOUUAX9mgAYy&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDledfJlZ42r9-SfNNMyyoDO6DEEXg_Yo_-1NxyRnOF2g&oe=65876186 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56882 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/5/25, 7:38 PM | 1703105785 | 1749170312 | 65 | 192880393897926 | 5 | 6.4373481125526E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721249030167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679265 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402946191_307574395500084_5630667761958460280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lg72Sx5xJxkAX8ItH-2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBb0XxdqKAQKf--BBQhOZaaMjUC9O5IuUJgcNuLa2jLOQ&oe=65876B4C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56616 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/22/25, 12:40 PM | 1703105782 | 1750614060 | 65 | 320008720975150 | 1 | 7.1807344253229E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 298516343584252 | 0 | Monica Murphy | 120202351763960268 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🏈 Sports Romance FREE in Kindle Unlimited | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZJZ6RQF?maas=maas_adg_400879EFF1FDBE3A7056331C71F319A4_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas | 1701106072 | 2.9851634358425E+14 | Monica Murphy | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406104681_1580753012461380_447936092192138441_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9elbWuJJ6uQAX_YACbG&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB7T81jFYgdLxRa3ZHEh92Bw8EHxfCev3O8TTk7nVN31Q&oe=65892D3A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Joanna, recovering from heartbreak, is adamant about avoiding athletes. Knox, fighting the 'dumb jock' stereotype, needs her help more than she knows. Can they challenge their own prejudices to find something real? | Monica Murphy | 50003 | https://facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56465 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 6:13 PM | 1703105780 | 1747437181 | 65 | 230788806692644 | 1 | 2.8212248802935E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 711420849053256 | 0 | Mamut Dentistry | 23861766087270188 | implants.mamutdentistry.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Mamut Dentistry | https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey | 1696896131 | 7.1142084905326E+14 | Mamut Dentistry | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387065773_3553812431556961_6455969937025480228_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AA6eE9VAgUoAX81wrVy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCTPBMKOZlnehEvrXYiaskfRWsUwAj2gEieuN6E1amKSQ&oe=65880A76 | person_profile | 0 | ᴍᴀᴍᴜᴛ ᴅᴇɴᴛɪsᴛʀʏ | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387790283_715016803990291_472926288436170378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WbzTYnWBGXgAX9dcSL5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAwHqcj3b267PGzwoQQpNx1axIrkrZYv4p5D-m7QpzrSQ&oe=6587C6B1 | 0 | 3 | ❗️ To my dear fellow Queens residents: Don't settle for ordinary dentures – they are far from being a permanent solution. ❗️<br /> <br /> The struggles of bone loss, chewing difficulties, diminished self-esteem, and the constant need for denture replacements weigh heavily on denture wearers. If given a choice, no one would willingly tread this challenging path that takes both an emotional and physical toll.<br /> <br /> It's not uncommon to hear folks say, "I don't want regular dentures, but I can't afford the costly Fixed Zirconia Bridges treatment."<br /> <br /> Enter the perfect solution: "Implant-Retained Dentures." 💪<br /> <br /> This innovative method of replacing missing teeth with removable dentures is a more affordable alternative to traditional implant dentistry. These removable hybrid dentures securely "snap" onto the implants, allowing easy removal and cleaning, just like natural teeth. 😍<br /> <br /> The best part? This treatment preserves your precious jawbone – a stark contrast to traditional dentures.<br /> <br /> ✅ Say goodbye to those sour-faced grins!<br /> ✅ Laugh without feeling the need to cover your mouth!<br /> ✅ Reunite with your favorite foods at long last!<br /> ✅ Walk out with a fresh set of teeth today!<br /> <br /> Take the first step toward a beautiful, confident smile for yourself or your loved ones! 😄👇<br /> <br /> We've witnessed the physical and emotional toll that tooth loss and ill-fitting dentures can inflict on patients. Our dedicated doctor and compassionate staff take immense pride in making a positive impact on people's lives through meticulous planning and expertise.<br /> <br /> I'm Dr. Jovanka from Mamut Dentistry, and I'm excited to offer a unique service to our neighborhood while promoting our practice.<br /> <br /> 👉 Please click the link below and fill out our survey if you would like one of the remaining 21 slots for a complimentary consultation: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimplants.mamutdentistry.com%2Fsurvey&h=AT3rUbeWSZG2rOIEbFaPlRaPpFJTy4ouXSmIiMXsJxVNAbTCc6psqP_Y1hQYPSeVbZJyuiIFsYrqdsgEtlAn9TgGW3BfqA0ZrJB6u4ID1GqsEPrmU3QqsLJMsumV1qsdQuEN1Fg6K1-JTg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey</a><br /> <br /> 🤝 We're here to help you start your journey in the right direction. As a small, patient-centered business, not a profit-driven corporation, we prioritize your care above all else.<br /> <br /> Don't delay another day in reclaiming your smile, confidence, and joy. Let's embark on the path to a brighter and happier you, together. | Mamut Dentistry | 613 | https://facebook.com/mamutdentistry | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56619 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105782 | 1746746494 | 65 | 308395455428893 | 1 | 1.0040287973478E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1683551441916012 | 0 | Cissi Williams | 120201642741960642 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/cissi_williams | 1701094994 | 1.683551441916E+15 | Cissi Williams | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406466859_1290447481668819_2333509054878976627_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OELHJ35wzQcAX-7_ITX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAC3z4aipNvaHVAtVxcGl3ZEswALP6OkSireDyN72W0gA&oe=65886C25 | person_profile | 0 | Cissi Williams | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405692964_3626113250967414_304484229772066027_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=25CLfrCbV2wAX91v7ou&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAICCRrMKIq6c8QkJ2dcuk9cheI5Zy97oFehC8pKIgsqg&oe=6589180D | 0 | 3 | Awaken Your Ancestral Feminine Power & Magic with Shamanic Energy Medicine 💛 <br /> <br /> Can you feel how there's an ancient wisdom within you, that knows how to guide you?<br /> <br /> And as you tune into this ancient wisdom - the Wise Woman within - she'll guide you on where to go, what to do, what to say and to whom, so you can share your soul’s light and gifts with others.<br /> <br /> As you keep following her guidance, you start to transform deeply, allowing your Highest Path to unfold.<br /> <br /> This is because SHE is now in charge, leading you, step-by-step, to what needs to heal and change for you to live in alignment with HER vision for your life.<br /> <br /> And this vision is so much better than your mind’s plan for your life!<br /> <br /> During this Shamanic Energy Medicine training you’ll heal deeply, as it's through your own healing that you discover the wisdom you are meant to share with others, so this is not a ‘light and fluffy’ training.<br /> <br /> Instead, you’ll witness your own shadows and inner wounds, which moves you through a deep healing process where you begin to embrace your divine light, feminine power, soul gifts and ancient wisdom.<br /> <br /> You have two pathways to choose from for this training - one that's for your own personal development, and one that leads to you becoming a certified Shamanic Energy Medicine Practitioner.<br /> <br /> Both are intense trainings in spiritual development, taking you on a journey into the sacred darkness, so you can move through a deep transformation, where you are being reborn into the Wise Woman that you are.<br /> <br /> WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE TRAINING<br /> “Having studied various healing pathways both in the UK and as far as Peru, I can honestly say her teachings go far and beyond anything I have ever encountered.”<br /> Joanna Brodie, UK<br /> <br /> "Transformational, magical, powerful…the journey Cissi will take you on in her trainings are all of these but so, so much more.…if you are willing, really willing, to surrender your old stories, false beliefs and your ego - and instead discover who you truly are and the path you are meant to follow.”<br /> Karan Maurer, US<br /> <br /> Tap link in bio for more information (and yes, we'll visit the Inner Circle at Stonehenge during the training). | Cissi Williams | 9100 | https://facebook.com/shamanicenergymedicine | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55232 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:20 PM | 1703105768 | 1746746426 | 65 | 2208198996053886 | 1 | 6.7777518438338E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 505582332845919 | 0 | Joanna Galant Photography | 120202630595130378 | www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | 1703025306 | 5.0558233284592E+14 | Joanna Galant Photography | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412593887_1843690812754982_2026822719029080138_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ueCXDT9RGrUAX9fOcDD&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAebPeFPjalB2vyMWFIYkO7-ePh3x2sdVTwYk0K0g_QYA&oe=65890F6C | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Galant | Family and Kids Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412626705_278959101826758_6069561893348200149_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eC7jG_0ukn0AX9pHi9J&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBCDjN668NIT4BvPBRfC-b7UnIGE_y7AAxg4OgrQsKg1A&oe=65880317 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Galant Photography | 6758 | https://facebook.com/joannagalantphotography | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56186 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 7:19 PM | 1703105777 | 1747095569 | 65 | 1530039041111574 | 1 | 8.0018622545175E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672503550427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030351 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407981380_1426761748185716_3627360625712057347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zXaKfbPSJqcAX8ATcPP&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfBADI-5QsdfwGNYqsfiEObc0fbFDbiAmwK7iK4qz1KB7Q&oe=65888023 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407754883_2620869268070293_3774437281417951638_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uwqprW8kpHQAX88cfNP&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfB5F674208T_6Y5vFGL9Z7k5k5MCc5GnZBltvtrFjU1Rg&oe=65893B67 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55392 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/22/25, 3:42 PM | 1703105769 | 1750624945 | 65 | 324007090456006 | 1 | 1.0845820796273E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108722372008776 | 0 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 120202231285360668 | fb.com | Visit Profile | NONE | image | www.fb.com | http://www.fb.com/1815223141 | 1702958985 | 1.0872237200878E+14 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412157713_883488893569748_170775884689633842_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7NAvo8Mbr7wAX8N42iF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDasDKPRXjblBWkjqzq6VYo0LepSl5efaav80ailEnjFg&oe=6588D18E | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412393278_1108370207205713_4806720875283665148_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a8w44PQWzzoAX9E4hkb&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVRITwFZUmI1pESv8FCrMijK4eyB_LNZFg7NYZ5e8q-w&oe=6587820B | 0 | 3 | Live everyday like it’s your last day, XOXO… also now pay attention!!!! I AM NOT SINGLE. Seriously 😒 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 192 | https://facebook.com/joanna.quija | 0 | VISIT_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55725 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105772 | 1746746469 | 65 | 166692206531750 | 7.0475279486266E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 84398256230 | 0 | Lowe's Home Improvement | 120203529790390616 | lowes.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.lowes.com/l/online-paint-store.html?cm_mmc=psm-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-fb-_-cm_mmc=psm-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-fb-_-{{campaign.id}}-_-{{ad.id}}-_-0-_-awr-_-lal-_-{adid}-_-0-_-awr-_-lal | 1702539066 | 84398256230 | Lowe's Home Improvement | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409983846_742704981049948_6619173501111962694_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xGpTPwGN85UAX9P2PT6&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHKUeOqJpp5scUYiZzkLsb1LIKgFWOC9KT8hJlJmdcRw&oe=65879323 | person_profile | 0 | Lowe's Home Improvement | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409970247_868910341546014_1253964532511365289_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PjEj3SzAOlAAX96oTiW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC22IhU5eCCgIzg2rysAUOFoKGamIDhtHYF6oW4NthXSQ&oe=65888089 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Lowe's Home Improvement | 4764756 | https://facebook.com/lowes | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56161 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 1:07 AM | 1703105777 | 1749190070 | 65 | 371160815298017 | 1 | 3.1625473111579E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 217085925452880 | 0 | Visual Mood | 120202016567400199 | www.visualmood.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Double the Style: Joanna's Reversible Swimsuit | https://www.visualmood.com/products/joanna-reversible-tie-shoulder-one-piece-swimsuit?utm_source=MetaAds&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{adset.name}}&utm_term={{ad.name}} | 1702062387 | 2.1708592545288E+14 | Visual Mood | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408459817_25060879513499311_8823529792304052682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ER_fKg7cl6UAX-CA-Mj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBgbg-twZozdeXw9rZUuFlmoRSSVWoycT-qu3ZA-4z4ug&oe=65881D4E | person_profile | 0 | Visual Mood | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408476997_1524736904962286_1695511994535499213_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xt6XdzRhHu4AX-7ZsWN&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDbYHLrtOQJ8S1KIWpSghM8ggwHiWEGxoz98bNtKRcqIA&oe=65886EDB | 0 | 3 | From Beach to Beyond! 🌅🌄 Joanna Reversible Swimsuit and Matching Skirt - Embrace Versatile Elegance for Any Occasion!"<br /> Shop now at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvisualmood.com%2F&h=AT294oB667I6wMpE12awSU35JwwwynUMBW7OPJSMDD8YZiRfZl2eYY2WaYQnp5J-aGfPHrdPa65QP21lzDU6G-ns8wf_foJadB3bTZIKRfEV7sulfSQAfJ8bq65KQNm611EqNRdaoDKyvmCnyGiD2TAqerz_vwroNMxT7A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">visualmood.com</a> and enjoy 10% OFF your 1st order! 🎁 | Visual Mood | 613 | https://facebook.com/visualmoodswim | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55510 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 6:12 PM | 1703105770 | 1747437174 | 65 | 360687966614727 | 1 | 1.3860218553277E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765929300465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702456 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411479173_902909228062071_8276517452725928915_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xDViAK594GgAX9atez-&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnrXMr7dzjZfjxgEWz0Q9Dm8e-jWExoXXJPHriLBclng&oe=6587DD6D | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411458106_7215499841877641_3634205670888085778_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KRUydllXeVYAX90P3UJ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgKHXOk2c4QzTDhOh2ZwN79bJpY40G1YMBkMYQw-eD2g&oe=65890B57 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56492 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/22/25, 10:33 PM | 1703105781 | 1750649608 | 65 | 1264315104237551 | 4 | 1.8125626292586E+15 | 1701763200 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 131920553340233 | 0 | Family Gift 13 | 120201303781150403 | myfamily-gifts.com | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | The best gift for loved ones | https://myfamily-gifts.com/joanna-db09 | 1701100368 | 1.3192055334023E+14 | Family Gift 13 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406011090_883082463529943_8780638927458560793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CZovjT3bO44AX8K9pWb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD3vTFL6UkgSqcNJcKV-JQ1ZFB2P4J5s3zrEsvfrffpdg&oe=65876032 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Find your perfect, thoughtful gift here!<br /> Order now: >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamily-gifts.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3Yrx3kJTtl1TBmq9lYfELwAlOt30HN6bs1u7U6TZWxbaEpcmomk39s8_InHSdHuznERo0yfXmwBqQay72rMohO38HDd0HTRsosKucA1S9NsRgiyRvFN9HJLx42RNDuJ-chFdHjFSgxUxvhqHtwu1iz_MI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myfamily-gifts.com/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift 13 | 16 | https://facebook.com/61551888543646 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56078 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105776 | 1746746484 | 65 | 1347981732500975 | 1 | 2.6343686667135E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 161468480676430 | 0 | SunDub | 120201910445270449 | www.ticketweb.com | Book now | NONE | video | https://www.ticketweb.com/event/brooklyn-reggae-night-feat-sundub-brooklyn-bowl-tickets/13841438?pl=bbowl | 1702228473 | 1.6146848067643E+14 | SunDub | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406790557_1577734619632262_3803338550515185887_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eSbXUa4L3CgAX9w24dI&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDvNlWriYMAxXiQ9T7sBuyjstVOboH_FZIEvmI2WbAJRg&oe=65888840 | person_profile | 0 | SunDub | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406828636_389332953525389_4527836544934593870_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8H9J5Y6CRR0AX_zuYdC&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAadg1dah4HqJnp-sijIDYn-MVZQBgd2fLOvKqdnat1Rw&oe=658873D7 | 0 | 3 | BROOKLYN REGGAE NIGHT is coming 🎉 Don’t miss this huge night of reggae music at Brooklyn Bowl!<br /> <br /> 🎟️ tickets on sale now 🎟️ | SunDub | 3271 | https://facebook.com/sundubmusic | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55602 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:20 PM | 1703105771 | 1746746459 | 65 | 202396062924513 | 2 | 3.5629676042295E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 256859647665050 | 0 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 120203666383840363 | jmazurkiewiczauthor.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://jmazurkiewiczauthor.com/products/the-billionaire-box-set-ebook | 1702630412 | 2.5685964766505E+14 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409495091_329896196569587_837922472179461264_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p_w7rwL8JzEAX-Q9Ro8&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDGLtQDeAOjfapdFC4E6YTd37-DZvvM9eqUoRNmPyYJIw&oe=6588AC3B | person_profile | 0 | JMazurkiewicz 🖌Fantasy Author | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410410693_1023692232079384_8026059185560463216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rbEtVYxnAdgAX-CXxEY&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfA--ISqVxLXWhqitY4ejQYBJJcdox-tKCVgn1DkvXCJaA&oe=65875F89 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 5423 | https://facebook.com/joannamazauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55423 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/4/25, 1:09 AM | 1703105769 | 1746338947 | 65 | 734464615221843 | 1 | 8.9473952867074E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 753866531467703 | 0 | Joanna Crespo | 120204029712940551 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannacresporeiki | 1702907088 | 7.538665314677E+14 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411670946_645844494185263_3065518840778927049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0FOPzGKbf5MAX-9vI_u&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCemlnOxPaO7LfVXEnuTABnl4LUCixzRDQer1v5BMNcNQ&oe=6588A9BB | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412026784_339219628996012_883399662527230146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ePQFKAAbk3gAX9ynYsI&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD58RuKwxiHLiNtBm9EPrfLuL29ittNanhMbdvoKnP2sw&oe=65884F69 | 0 | 3 | An easy hike around the lake and lunch at Mountain Brauhaus @mtn_brauhaus, Gardiner town’s top German restaurant.🐕🐕🦺<br /> <br /> See last page for @mtn_brauhaus sample seasonal menu. A must try appetitzer: CRISPY-SKIN WARM DUCK LEG CONFIT 🥰 | Joanna Crespo | 395 | https://facebook.com/JoannaCrespoReiki | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55273 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 2:26 AM | 1703105768 | 1749194800 | 65 | 764308368849044 | 1.5909435949824E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108722372008776 | 0 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 120202357643860668 | fb.com | Visit Profile | NONE | image | www.fb.com | http://www.fb.com/1815223141 | 1703043395 | 1.0872237200878E+14 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411228046_726785749514444_8110329792384285944_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G6yUBFHc-0MAX90x0Tv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlz0JyAqWfoE7Dl6ABmCahudyOWW7Bva533mmpKiYKgw&oe=6588BA74 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Live everyday like it’s your last day, XOXO… Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 and Happy New Year 🎊🎈🎆 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 192 | https://facebook.com/joanna.quija | 0 | VISIT_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56976 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 12:08 PM | 1703105786 | 1746205727 | 65 | 1432084367373205 | 5 | 1.0911569485488E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201778980400250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677939 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402960811_3582056052051476_2480871273265367808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8cuobOvepzoAX8grsCn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBe7wbFz73YJwtUQZTQjpLxQoyy-3klRvN0ertP_iepKA&oe=6588A973 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56467 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 12:16 PM | 1703105780 | 1747243007 | 65 | 378955064581291 | 1 | 3.4918762343677E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 711420849053256 | 0 | Mamut Dentistry | 23861766083690188 | implants.mamutdentistry.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Mamut Dentistry | https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey | 1696896129 | 7.1142084905326E+14 | Mamut Dentistry | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387738952_1312586046045477_6828756674462094717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vC0dmlysW80AX_tYnB9&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD9DBWZ_v-7wUB1d4xKPFxz4L6VSa3eaNhoT1ZkaFq0eA&oe=65892027 | person_profile | 0 | ᴍᴀᴍᴜᴛ ᴅᴇɴᴛɪsᴛʀʏ | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387743707_1686227661886353_6580072613784904198_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vpd8_usVGWMAX9f-MoT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8eaNSEPxjVr91IZL0obqisCyx3QusVpTyljkwYWy75Q&oe=6587CC72 | 0 | 3 | 📓 Once upon a time in the bustling neighborhood of Queens, there lived two friends, Susan and John, who were facing a common problem - the challenges of missing teeth. They were both determined to restore their smiles, but they had different paths in mind.<br /> <br /> Susan, a practical and budget-conscious person, decided to explore the option of dentures. She had heard they were the most affordable way to regain her lost confidence. So, she made an appointment with Dr. Smith, a local dentist known for his expertise in denture fittings.<br /> <br /> Dr. Smith carefully explained the process to Susan. He assured her that dentures could replace her missing teeth and alleviate the sores on her gums. However, he also warned her that dentures might not look entirely natural and that she'd have to deal with the hassle of adhesive glue.<br /> <br /> Susan, understanding the trade-offs, went ahead with the dentures. Initially, they did improve her appearance, but as time passed, she faced challenges. Eating her favorite foods became a bit of a struggle. The dentures slipped occasionally, making her uncomfortable during conversations. Moreover, her jawbone started to shrink, causing her face to age faster than she had anticipated.👵<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, John, Susan's neighbor, took a different path. He believed in investing in his long-term quality of life. He decided to explore dental implants, which he'd heard could be a game-changer. John visited Dr. Jovanka at Mamut Dentistry, renowned for offering top-notch implant solutions. 💪<br /> <br /> Dr. Jovanka explained the advantages of dental implants to John. They not only looked like real teeth but also functioned like them. John wouldn't have to worry about hiding his smile or restricting his diet anymore. The best part? Dental implants were a permanent solution that could last for more than 50 years.<br /> <br /> John opted for dental implants, and the transformation was incredible. His new teeth looked so natural that nobody could tell the difference. He relished every meal, from juicy steaks to crunchy apples, without any discomfort. John's implants integrated seamlessly into his jawbone, just like natural teeth roots, ensuring they remained firmly in place.<br /> <br /> As the years passed, John continued to enjoy a youthful appearance, thanks to his implants. He never had to deal with the downsides of dentures, like the inevitable jawbone shrinkage and the breakdown of cheap materials. 😀<br /> <br /> One day, Susan and John bumped into each other at the neighborhood park. Susan noticed John's radiant smile and asked about his secret. John shared his implant journey and how they had improved his life.<br /> <br /> 💡 Listening to John's story, Susan realized that investing in her dental health could lead to a brighter future. She decided to visit Dr. Jovanka at Mamut Dentistry for a consultation.<br /> <br /> In the end, both Susan and John found solutions that suited their needs. While Susan had chosen dentures initially for their affordability, she came to appreciate the long-term benefits of dental implants, just like her friend John.<br /> <br /> 📌 The moral of the story is that the choice between dentures and dental implants depends on your priorities. If you want a lasting, natural-looking smile and the ability to enjoy life to the fullest, dental implants may be the right path for you. <br /> <br /> 🦷 At Mamut Dentistry, Dr. Jovanka is dedicated to helping you make the best choice for your dental health, ensuring you have a smile that shines for a lifetime. That's why we're extending an exclusive invitation to a Complimentary Consultation for Dental Implants. <br /> <br /> 👇 Click the link below to fill out a brief questionnaire and start your journey to a healthier, happier smile: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimplants.mamutdentistry.com%2Fsurvey&h=AT0z7tbcE_k4wZHC92FWyNojla442oSIUvhzq8lZchnmz2ShO3llwQM_v71b4A1Eqb6Y04nGrHUtceoaL62KUtddlenzgm7Hl4sdOTfhzW_g6vMTDjwZsczJiFsagGT8w64QyMawGNTDrQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey</a> | Mamut Dentistry | 613 | https://facebook.com/mamutdentistry | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55242 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 7:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1751460353 | 65 | 897032938430996 | 1 | 8.86087352598E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108215147346228 | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | 120200715186220435 | joannasfashionstore.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Joanna Fashion Store | Για όσο καιρό η ιστοσελίδα μας βρίσκεται υπό κατασκευή μπορείτε να απευθυνθείτε στο 6945 148 796 | http://joannasfashionstore.com/ | 1699655457 | 1.0821514734623E+14 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399677561_1699112477259202_7279879114044272945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ziwhMg6CYugAX8ZyTgY&_nc_oc=AQnTREc5iJehrKHWwYiu052bcH8wsUix-dpNaAAfYviYRl-U_J8LzADVFlfLeb15TLY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCxu3P-DYeBmZH8-KR_h3G7ZKlwiizxDdz5VDsCQxueNw&oe=65880918 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401089883_3578016969181011_8278699218711683687_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YWCywU3mwfEAX_6ooAY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAGAM1rj199LtUbPIeQckkqE_hyD2-HT8FdsLX01J4NAw&oe=6588C0B6 | 0 | 3 | Joanna <br /> fashion store | Joanna Fashion Store | 83297 | https://facebook.com/100064833155643 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1699603200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55743 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/23/25, 12:24 AM | 1703105772 | 1750656294 | 65 | 1600512214022999 | 1 | 8.8722997619545E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548137009 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494483 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411098914_345159898261555_7829969425853352102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1N9S3fLaGgIAX81zoOu&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDk9J0xcosIG8RXWq-zf97cBypaibg_kfpzYjK-MVHdvg&oe=6587930E | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409602724_376161428131487_4322206692383694882_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=361cDfvLynwAX_IcwyZ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBJ4D6drtU0MWfyVzIN62bO5VAsdSdxJmdjZvl6meBNQw&oe=65882433 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56292 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/4/25, 11:04 PM | 1703105778 | 1749096252 | 65 | 268316125863750 | 2 | 3.3370405270608E+14 | 1702540800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 119292717940871 | 0 | Family Shirts M02 | 6531613039684 | myfamilyshirt.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D8 | Best gifts for your Family | https://myfamilyshirt.store/joanna-things-d8 | 1701886805 | 1.1929271794087E+14 | Family Shirts M02 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408391508_1717008085444427_3826645872387921374_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aBXcaNPs9LMAX9dFSZu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB6b8dc4gfmZwH74r9g6SWG376wN4tTosQAUMa62WCcCw&oe=65890BBA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamilyshirt.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0GS-OUX5LpdrBRnYDsiuq1wlUiAQbW1C3xhQxnREypI0Wui3yF7ctry_05HsmI_nIlRUe-dlAuxUH5rPGs2VqgitjiTr5SkZQqnTGfbBMHMV10ltYxGB_UARHCLfuMASNNVxMS8nIy3O2rprXyvOAnFHY" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="origin">https://myfamilyshirt.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Shirts M02 | 55 | https://facebook.com/61551643250696 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56678 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/10/25, 9:59 AM | 1703105783 | 1749567577 | 65 | 358457513214609 | 1.0142185298623E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145447080740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Opens Up, Breaking Her Silence Before the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806391 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404606819_602220625311000_7535080674722233445_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e4a_N-WLzLcAX_FiwTt&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAntwJ9zgO6aaYuZ-ODFeX8_2uoUlg8dJzDTmEau4gswA&oe=65882964 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long-Hidden Truths: Joanna Reveals Husband's Story and Behind-the-Scenes Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55977 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 1:34 PM | 1703105775 | 1742409267 | 65 | 1103939483935738 | 1 | 7.3874007479535E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143544350670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374833 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408936973_289852030707775_6732654118096061362_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dadDBxjlIPQAX9WNv9C&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC8UTv-zXN5ymhXjrq5VtIl9vJv_ClDYKAC-uPNZ0qlzA&oe=65874928 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410162471_654074716940963_6211365961029398650_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-Jve8QehSC0AX80Y5wJ&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBn5SNJKvcOjK9OwzFmUF-ESUDXvPed2d0V3snXKL8XLg&oe=6588AC1D | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56351 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 11:11 AM | 1703105779 | 1744387879 | 65 | 1900078400407662 | 1 | 8.5905531262535E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104893872451761 | 0 | Sierra College Information Technology | 120202249277790296 | getskillstoday.com | Learn more | NONE | video | IT Certification | FREE Info Session | https://getskillstoday.com/ | 1701736547 | 1.0489387245176E+14 | Sierra College Information Technology | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408269419_346999591253870_786263578066207512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PRiUm3Wb5BUAX8TUTRI&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUG7JR838RWsmXT4L8uFZH9Mfnv0zatXakm2mnsEoi4A&oe=6588B4CB | person_profile | 0 | Sierra College Information Tec | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408219450_1013141976408996_6439469436677808667_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ig78ftSXukAAX82yMNS&_nc_oc=AQkvbEuOsyKImvi6YfY3FJG2zuENII9S5Fn0XZF2EBV9DGjpUO2xSeKIgCRF2zpvjL8PDJyEWBC2Kl8RZSOf6ch_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC0P5kJnjcg_EvUXtbLYg3pBMAvV_q7oN772coSyrCqWA&oe=6588E36E | 0 | 3 | Level up your IT skills at Sierra College! Join our Jan 22nd program for continuing education. | Sierra College Information Technology | 21 | https://facebook.com/SCITDept | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55708 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/20/25, 11:34 PM | 1703105772 | 1740116045 | 65 | 1543582533074744 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202703377600367 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702540995 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409420474_367536545832403_3560167627943670280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZSo8FhDcMHwAX__5ix1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBpv6xYJZyEU1td0S9wcOMVgWDR-2WXUw3qhWMNOJRJ6w&oe=6588FF9E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56760 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/4/25, 12:35 AM | 1703105784 | 1741070139 | 65 | 1662454970944301 | 1 | 3.0435114917402E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343773370404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843457 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405846852_377543704619178_4494805303930466934_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TEgoyBtV_wYAX_XOEKC&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAN2X3791X6hqH0sYc6nBzjginPIVKgKaiBL9xA9JRs8w&oe=658831E0 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405800491_1074608413727060_6753048311436409770_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P4H9AA-nTSAAX9tqu6n&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFM18gRA2g-YFlq7HI-XjUi2w3x1OI7Ro7HiRll0IHnQ&oe=658856DE | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56076 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 8:18 PM | 1703105776 | 1743124735 | 65 | 713912507349029 | 2 | 8.6241212202675E+14 | 1702454400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103862972598152 | 0 | zendalacraft | 120202916630560005 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/zendalacraft | 1702258833 | 1.0386297259815E+14 | zendalacraft | https://scontent-mia3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/327749956_742099477207961_1623403982017122936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=J6STZ9aipkEAX_nW2Ki&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDiLTbTXRxxXLWQohN_bcBZJY1zJRv-pJgv2D630ZJyVw&oe=6588C97D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Medina | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406843924_1775951892919535_6773410522747698311_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CO-cW-4_QnMAX9GH1Aa&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOGgWQlXYPPkpwyhraIQTa8brYe4Vm0r4KSR3EebuUwg&oe=658932E9 | 0 | 3 | TEMA: WORKSHOP BRUSH LETTERING NIVEL BÁSICO. EN NAVIDAD 🪅🎄🧑🏻🎄🎅🏻<br /> <br /> Aprenderás desde cero el arte de crear letras!!! <br /> <br /> * MODALIDAD PRESENCIAL :<br /> <br /> 📆 Fecha: Sábado 16 de Diciembre 2023<br /> 📌 Edad: Cualquier edad, A partir de 8 años en adelante !!!<br /> ⏱️ Hora: 9:00 am a 1:00 pm <br /> 💵 Forma de Pago: Zelle, transferencia, pago móvil, PayPal <br /> <br /> 📍LUGAR: Zona Norte, cerca del Sambil, Taller de Arte Zendala Craft, Maracaibo, Venezuela.<br /> Modalidad: PRESENCIAL <br /> ———<br /> Incluye Kit de Materiales:<br /> - Guía Física para prácticas.<br /> - Set de marcadores punta pincel.<br /> - Portaminas, Borrador <br /> - Material para prácticas.<br /> - Refrigerio <br /> <br /> Dictado por: <br /> Dra. Joanna Medina <br /> Arquitecto.<br /> <br /> Contenido del Taller: <br /> 1. Clase Introductoria<br /> 2. Ejercicios de Trazos Básicos, con prácticas guiadas en tiempo real <br /> 3.Alfabeto Sans Serif en letras minúsculas.<br /> 3. Prácticas de abecedario en tiempo real, con variaciones de estilos de letras. <br /> 4.Anatomía de las letras, diseño y de frases o ideas, paso a paso.<br /> 5. Práctica final motivo Navidad | zendalacraft | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/zendalacraft | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56454 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/24/25, 6:47 PM | 1703105780 | 1745538448 | 65 | 248071784711938 | 2 | 1.0865183693824E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497702330404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357859 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406348255_316410394610521_7039509966426589604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g673ojIrhSkAX-XSEv-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwTVDo4tGJVZWoF39fKNAccgOph3xk6dXohyuKPkNnxw&oe=6588960D | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407257605_871211211059150_8191288045403025874_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b6CZsHLbkWQAX9sLBZp&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBbzkzkoBZlKaCDROPpMeNc8u3zf65iZLd4a1A3tnBPyw&oe=65882B64 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55416 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/23/25, 8:13 PM | 1703105769 | 1750727603 | 65 | 330201616475331 | 3.7825404461973E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1430412523941777 | 0 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | 120202713376590756 | NONE | multi_images | 1702917985 | 1.4304125239418E+15 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410941375_670023435267450_5833635677464575445_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gf2wAw6h9cIAX8A0zGu&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDK6kM8DIGa921vymaWVhCPm4gdiTm6-Stw0dR4YQGNAg&oe=65883D9A | person_profile | 0 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410913163_1042590903619308_4020143338431100433_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ufZTR1-tDeoAX8s33F2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxid5gFZaYNIgFtqighwOa1SqfZBIqBEYMtGB6vJqWuA&oe=6588A843 | 0 | 3 | Season’s Greetings and Happy Birthdays at Silver's! ✨🎄<br /> <br /> December at Silver's isn't just about the holiday sparkle, it's also about celebrating the birthdays of our fantastic team members! Your hard work and cheer add so much to the spirit of the season. Wishing you all the joy, laughter, and wonderful moments on your special days! 🎂🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!<br /> <br /> Celebrating:<br /> 🎂 Deborah Jagneaux, Store Cashier<br /> 🎂 Joanna Morris, Housekeeping<br /> 🎂 Jerry Herpin, Maintenance<br /> 🎂 D'chelle Breaux, Store Manager<br /> 🎂 Denise Johnson, Store Cashier<br /> <br /> Your dedication makes Silver's brighter, especially during the holidays. Cheers to the happiest of birthdays! 🌟🎉 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | 1817 | https://facebook.com/silverscasino | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55975 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 4:47 PM | 1703105775 | 1746913637 | 65 | 1816767965422928 | 1 | 1.0297296516355E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143588630670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374897 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410126169_1053118579352605_5914162279390578257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-WW08nzJaxcAX8P4Hp-&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC1uA0iw9Uq74-FU5Y_5eMnUTbxLxbTkaMdkVPNj6f5Rg&oe=65875008 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410152012_224014870729051_8644965894469150423_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_Axk7jC6qZoAX_8SxXL&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDuSI00NxnXONzPA0PIg6hnKo6Jcggk3FwqS4wq6-B8Qg&oe=6588E862 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56297 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/24/25, 7:53 PM | 1703105778 | 1745542432 | 65 | 736018165229428 | 1 | 8.2744668246522E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458883420691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856377 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407786617_332021443020441_3867850141437930662_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=48nTJaARxW4AX-5wXvF&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAEK7LLJUDQkP-ayVh2NtpKWF9ayM5A1zkPil0Zb65WUg&oe=65889310 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407774380_324550543676081_7394727894959601881_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LtrNX2pKe1EAX_cY999&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBoJRr3I0qGAbTo0U_Gw3qrEbknIs4Oc6-pgr_VvwVgvw&oe=658895DB | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56644 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/24/25, 8:12 PM | 1703105782 | 1745543564 | 65 | 725806815684057 | 1 | 3.6065454632719E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690798800115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056103 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403206909_387729253587507_7336215221113183435_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kqUUr5ZbUyYAX9ceAhS&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_RDLsZeuUI1EyhxoUH0zQ7ZyRaJXh_SmYsxYoNXgfNA&oe=658882D2 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405802574_364472356035868_8881540999144879508_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3GcDel8OqfkAX8nKoAU&_nc_oc=AQn9jrLIXuZSoGucumkTtrnJgYEO_xeLgrNNxPZVekghbhvDU0wYl9OzFk8xN9kwjwQQsmLtxsVLFgpGiRlsRHew&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDzK2Q5aKufEZ6bj3066eadpVKYxBePlGuGEmoggmaiAw&oe=65886550 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56087 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 3:17 PM | 1703105776 | 1743625066 | 65 | 268083169578404 | 4 | 8.2245211630123E+14 | 1702368000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120201944725550431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702200577 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX-PsW_1&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAKuKjadlpYkXmurN9Ww_TqjkUewDX2Py8wcBRIWMtwhg&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409920619_1046942516584539_2829616602809249937_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_8ZmzoF8SfIAX9XnrXc&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCcC5_9RK8y6PaNulQysyU1nSWSdN3hUfUEHJE9Da7xpA&oe=65884EBA | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, represented by a gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55931 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/24/25, 8:36 PM | 1703105775 | 1745544974 | 65 | 2078271392515523 | 7 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207709758310456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702392147 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410622833_6901662766547944_4827376833882185793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wjaej3-P1tgAX_3YEpt&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCgzJp3WxJihNqb6d5fAJ-euhWgQHcp3LqLfszoz_xdlg&oe=6587F921 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56761 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/20/25, 3:20 PM | 1703105784 | 1740086445 | 65 | 2974452019352009 | 1 | 2.2039643107914E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343773170404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843751 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405559337_190624760776440_8111380486331131716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YZTYzsTFhecAX9LzS2E&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBq7ipUvgS7b1-Fylm28JHTaWOw_AOyCKr2GnJQexJ9EQ&oe=65892F4A | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404315363_1064034135034074_3685239553500898296_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KJjSlzeyKtkAX-aM5oY&_nc_oc=AQn7VfPRqHPXMrem0iEIYdp-p321UvaWx-VGwNvroBGiGFCkILH2Q_JWitUh_-Y_Lt0aa2fIj4i2R9aVNgh6msun&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVyxgYbW9obyAT8teRPB-vyr5bt4eLtZT8hXRoAe8w2w&oe=6587C611 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55516 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/23/25, 9:51 PM | 1703105770 | 1740369061 | 65 | 1031093841466391 | 1 | 1.5755990298514E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765739870465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702478 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411313156_1151258875854993_2185246994506966879_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_a_0tm-oAroAX8M9dll&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA8Iu_9llNIWDT42yswmRuIA_22Y8k52lfOptz8IYUFDA&oe=6587AAE4 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411304603_753124283521739_5252054221153815969_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fh7SjpyCpAMAX9dgyuP&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDweELERAVTR8G6YjBOnV084cHjqr8B1GCS2vqb-dK2Jw&oe=6587F4A4 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56164 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 12:57 AM | 1703105777 | 1747115851 | 65 | 222541117460013 | 3.6017906668063E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104004358796647 | 0 | IMIND Mental Health | 120200829897190224 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | TMS Depression Therapy Works Where Other Methods Have Failed | http://fb.me/ | 1699645629 | 1.0400435879665E+14 | IMIND Mental Health | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401044619_1290264278228973_5322522469501138369_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zij9d-CbFhgAX98r8T6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDn9qETbCotpg3WxvYmqH5hn8DsIhL_6k2Re24ro8BcFg&oe=6587CDE4 | person_profile | 0 | iMind Mental Health Solutions | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401030508_684930593643408_6551951472087097080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OZQjdVlJ4l8AX-HHkXG&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDqwPd33YgBk2hrLXru3xNoTCv4EjlZSDnXiFt8i5XuRg&oe=6589364C | 0 | 3 | Many depression sufferers have tried everything. <br /> <br /> They've tried anti-depressants...sometimes 3 or 4 different kinds.<br /> <br /> They've tried traditional "talk" counseling.<br /> <br /> They've tried following mental health advice.<br /> <br /> They’ve listened to their friends and family tell them to “just choose to be happy”.<br /> <br /> But for many people suffering from depression, none of the above have truly helped them find lasting relief.<br /> <br /> Until now.<br /> <br /> A new form of treatment known as Brainsway TMS Therapy has been clinically proven to be effective at treating depression at its source.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy uses magnetic-stimulation to reach the part of the brain that controls whether a person feels happy or sad.<br /> <br /> In fact, Brainsway TMS Therapy has been proven to be effective for patients who didn't respond to traditional depression treatments.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS therapy can potentially help depression sufferers get off their antidepressants, which is a major plus for many patients.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy is:<br /> <br /> ☑️ Safe<br /> ☑️ FDA-approved<br /> ☑️ Medication-free<br /> ☑️ Covered by most insurances<br /> ☑️ No systemic side effects<br /> <br /> Thinking Brainsway TMS Therapy may be the right choice? And want more information? <br /> <br /> Here’s what to do:<br /> <br /> Click "Learn More" below<br /> Fill out the form (30 seconds)<br /> Schedule a free phone consultation.<br /> <br /> Talk soon!<br /> <br /> Dr. JoAnna VanVleet, D.O., D.F.A.P.A.<br /> iMind Mental<br /> Port St. Lucie, FL<br /> <br /> For faster service, call (877) 355-8780 | IMIND Mental Health | 219 | https://facebook.com/iMindMentalHealth | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55779 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 10:43 PM | 1703105773 | 1746762195 | 65 | 741079374016369 | 5.2879826379927E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548021409 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411136979_2091854954490706_3951087862953203066_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EcgFo-yigJgAX_UgRgj&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBtgH5MY2vVg0RLlsUdhprtUCZnTKQ-UJmp-Qtf41mC9w&oe=65889295 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409564003_764789262147693_1411357855336527115_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dolotZCvF7UAX-7372g&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDVA6sFrujaHA_BvdVRqY-nY4zCkNHrpEPcYTRmnT1ngA&oe=65880413 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56155 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970738 | 65 | 883381739865853 | 1 | 1.1114091368702E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101425912363957 | 0 | Yot Club | 6500395139289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party | Kilby Block Party is an annual, all ages music festival happening in downtown Salt Lake City. | http://KilbyBlockParty.com/ | 1702073077 | 1.0142591236396E+14 | Yot Club | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409127948_6777029599074053_8281657026800817755_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qjwaymhCoZ8AX_yq1Sz&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD9ns_ERekqCeoO116SV6insDWEZgqdLfrOKMRMInca4A&oe=65876E23 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409452268_1579316056142360_2047415079587280209_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PRIXZ3opnD0AX8RNxRJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBFO7XmIwzmAGMm41MRY24HMwATMVkA0Lm9LfVrLneQ2A&oe=6587F86B | 0 | 3 | Yot Club | 487 | https://facebook.com/yotclub.ryan | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55260 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/24/25, 3:12 PM | 1703105768 | 1740431563 | 65 | 861856082075873 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120202447019970087 | joannaczech.com | Shop now | 874 | NONE | dpa | {{product.name}} | https://www.joannaczech.com/collections/joannas-favorites | 1701462512 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407313147_654848540171147_5591652414345765065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AKBmLoMuTW0AX-RK8VU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfChGnllpVWLwfb99mgznSkhpJunjqbrAdE5z7eHG3SR7Q&oe=6587CC8F | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407297206_1299810764051171_727318511226501716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RwEr0DAA7nYAX8iGXrD&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCEa_bYLBB7-DLzsQkivgpmm4y5bKRZfq3QRdk1qKJmxQ&oe=6589325C | 0 | 3 | #Czech out Joanna Czech's skincare must-haves! ✨ | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56867 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 1:04 PM | 1703105785 | 1747159487 | 65 | 215451021586774 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111590884348619 | 0 | Scoolinary | 120203959583290679 | scoolinary.com/christmas-desserts | Watch more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.scoolinary.com/courses/christmas-desserts | 1700692286 | 1.1159088434862E+14 | Scoolinary | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402660776_1040966863769376_4220542829248208802_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XeBRlmhUH98AX8OTl1k&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfsAAgxDqstLYdsx72KCDzYS1eIaFaB4hoatpwdqzmiQ&oe=6588DA42 | person_profile | 0 | scoolinary_en | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405048638_1052905675950525_4497060050318871690_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d1SBgfG7bfQAX9cRdKn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfALSbbL7EIJdkzZzwu1NnwKinq5kM-zy-QySZQedbC7yQ&oe=6587D6C8 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Scoolinary | 180515 | https://facebook.com/ScoolinaryEN | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56169 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 9:38 AM | 1703105777 | 1749220703 | 65 | 1395200974743268 | 1 | 1.5245329616553E+15 | 1702022400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 149765571556495 | 0 | house_of_beauty_academy | 120203728424590325 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/house_of_beauty_academy | 1702045209 | 1.497655715565E+14 | house_of_beauty_academy | https://scontent-lax3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/407253582_213374505138272_8943339776713872858_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MfunnG-afRoAX_JnxRq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAy1dA4-ciU3ISxgp8GP448SqFyvxbE-KNx8Iwjb_ivkw&oe=65875D0A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦 𝐴𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑦 by Magdalena Bagińska | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409029431_373775375065227_1270218034992568881_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ULVo3ZQw9nYAX8FAbK1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCttg9JXXy9GPstESsvDXgKQMhXnUNCJ0D8H6QszcSbVw&oe=6587852F | 0 | 3 | Działasz w branży Beauty?<br /> <br /> House Of Beauty Academy zaprasza do współpracy na całym kontynencie Europejskim. <br /> <br /> Jesteśmy dynamiczną marką z branży beauty, specjalizującą się w szkoleniach z makijażu permanentnego/trwałego (PMU), stylizacji rzęs, oraz paznokci i nie tylko...<br /> Obecnie poszukujemy pasjonatów i profesjonalistów związanych z tym segmentem, którzy chcieliby dołączyć do naszej rosnącej rodziny House of Beauty Academy. <br /> <br /> ➡️ Co oferujemy:<br /> - Możliwość współpracy z renomowaną Akademią Szkoleniową (niebawem również i Kliniką) <br /> - Ekspansję na różne rynki w Europie <br /> - Doskonałe warunki do rozwoju zawodowego i biznesowego<br /> <br /> ❓Kogo szukamy:<br /> - Przedsiębiorców indywidualnych oraz salony beauty w Polsce jak i za granicą <br /> - Instruktorów/Szkoleniowców zamieszkałych w Polsce / za granicą <br /> - Specjalistów w dziedzinie PMU<br /> - Stylistki rzęs <br /> - Ekspertów w dziedzinie stylizacji paznokci<br /> <br /> ✅ Dlaczego warto do nas dołączyć:<br /> - Dynamiczny rozwój w firmie <br /> - Innowacyjne podejście do szkoleń<br /> - Profesjonalny zespół i atmosfera współpracy<br /> - Możliwość współkształtowania naszej Akademii w Polsce oraz w Europie<br /> <br /> Jesteśmy już w Hiszpanii 🇪🇸 oraz w Niemczech 🇩🇪 <br /> <br /> Jeśli jesteś pasjonatem beauty i chcesz być częścią naszego sukcesu, skontaktuj się z nami już dziś!<br /> <br /> Szczegóły współpracy / kontakt<br /> <br /> 📨 kontakt.houseofbeautyacademy@gmail.com<br /> PL 📞 Joanna +48 787 321 910 wyślij SMS o treści "współpraca" | house_of_beauty_academy | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/house_of_beauty_academy | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56212 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/24/25, 8:22 PM | 1703105778 | 1750814570 | 65 | 1310124659706848 | 2 | 7.257495728074E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102890561862959 | 0 | Wander Prints Home Decor | 120201327392190733 | Shop now | NONE | image | https://wanderprints.com/gt383nel1901 | 1702010404 | 1.0289056186296E+14 | Wander Prints Home Decor | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408120835_1314989655850737_244495309097556123_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GZPviAKQ5y4AX8sMsB9&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCGdo6Jd8dyJvR41b8aMDF2jdcy-Ja-tGRqPlffg_b85g&oe=65885F26 | person_profile | 0 | Wander Prints | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408118199_1610167299391023_6652147952743416183_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2naCPVLK3O8AX8WcOy8&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfBbyvwhF451-TwZhTJYVh_A7XSvHFNbnru45olqflTO5Q&oe=6587E2B9 | 0 | 3 | Personalized Gift For Besties!<br /> Order here → <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwanderprints.com%2Fgt383nel1901&h=AT1oQ_Y5SQPP1dg3tot91tJLJ--Sao5L2escjVpaEtpuB5crfB64NyDNXGoq5PodaB4UMgM5yW4h3J7mi6ugksQRuW5YNVJ025OhYqjTOqDkELgiL1SUaorg276c0CXqHbXoeiDovK-mSv6mfS7k6X6uIgI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://wanderprints.com/gt383nel1901</a><br /> Worldwide Shipping!<br /> #besties #bff #bestfriends #friendship | Wander Prints Home Decor | 67206 | https://facebook.com/wanderprintsglobal | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55731 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 9:43 AM | 1703105772 | 1749221027 | 65 | 3619820101596100 | 1 | 8.9874481187278E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 305283975264 | 0 | Pulmonary Hypertension Association | 6519312014161 | phassociation.org | Learn more | NONE | image | YOUR DONATION TODAY IS CRITICAL | Give Hope to the PH Community. Make Your Year-End Gift Today. Over the past year, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) has shared the stories of several remarkable individuals from the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community. Each individual has a unique journey with PH and special connection.... | https://phassociation.org/donate-now/ | 1702508940 | 305283975264 | Pulmonary Hypertension Association | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410443905_742121911154916_7654538633462331261_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=saUxUQqMOpkAX-kdDAV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBzDikOLo0UL-WSKAyaQqdJ__Jjy8Brm6rHT2iWKGUWIw&oe=65893D94 | person_profile | 0 | PHA | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410360437_918953819657483_4028100962845942365_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R3XAMlX8s2gAX8bpyTE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAGVzsPoJDrvT2N35oXHrZGMIBSKXhCG0ylX_g4Y3INSw&oe=658821ED | 0 | 3 | This past year, four PH community members— Karly Loree, Barron Honea, Isla Grey and Joanna Grey’s family — shared how they have been impacted by PHA. <br /> <br /> CTEPH patient Karly Loree from Stillwater, Oklahoma, felt alone after her diagnosis in April 2022. Six months later, Karly and her husband Peter attended a PHA community event where she learned more about PHA resources, including PHA’s CTEPH Facebook group. Through PHA, Karly said she found her “CTEPH family.” <br /> <br /> Stories like Karly’s are a reminder of the importance of community and support for those affected by pulmonary hypertension. With your support, PHA can continue to provide our programs and services to the PH community. Give the gift of hope by making a calendar year-end donation to PHA today. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fow.ly%2FJ5rT50QcB0i&h=AT1XQChg4LBeDPwucQBd_ILRCQ_QB5PXlSYpTEp3cKN5BK98BbOu5prf5p9gnFXM4Q-Ga1muc0_mveeJGY0mtiA7vEipoWsSr9SBB5Sw6P9LOtJXiWGjcngRGKPzBk8h9nOm0Tmj9MRzlRe8Ij56PA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://ow.ly/J5rT50QcB0i</a> | Pulmonary Hypertension Association | 29582 | https://facebook.com/PulmonaryHypertensionAssociation | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56427 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 6:18 AM | 1703105780 | 1747135120 | 65 | 292084949886574 | 1 | 1.4682360807616E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 481779868692063 | 0 | Roanoke, VA Local - News Break | 120201236114580465 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Roanoke! | Another historic Virginia church is closing its doors as a house of worship. The Roanoke Rambler reported that The Rev. Joanna Paysour’ led the final Sunday worship service at Trinity United Methodist Church on November 19. The reason is the same that has shut the doors of other congregations in t... | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0pwXGF7w?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701419970 | 4.8177986869206E+14 | Roanoke, VA Local - News Break | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406657554_708169664711485_8611640578771368020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sUEMeirL5-EAX9y58D-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAT_COTv2YlDbfNApeAQwY_8znS_cGxSJsh6_tH5RqdfQ&oe=65888CD2 | person_profile | 0 | Roanoke, VA Local - News Break | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407384607_6745952372168627_5623228573028638181_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sh8R4Dx6HoEAX9abzLw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBGYfM1zPsBWOPN3_4Crj50WgunsMIpJTPvSrAwU35SnQ&oe=658879EE | 0 | 3 | Roanoke News: Historic Virginia church shuts its doors but they will reopen as apartments in Southwest. | Roanoke, VA Local - News Break | 3062 | https://facebook.com/RoanokeVALocal | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55686 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/10/25, 11:22 PM | 1703105772 | 1736551320 | 65 | 400475385640638 | 1 | 3.2643374870455E+15 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 112387711759981 | 0 | fl_emergingart | 120203711196910297 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/fl_emergingart | 1702585734 | 1.1238771175998E+14 | fl_emergingart | https://scontent-bos5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/315683704_659818958936949_1734550498301436538_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=RYHKwfdYMrcAX80nph_&_nc_oc=AQnn7gfy961ni8zzImZRYAyt8KbMdJ7i_xibSx6PRLdKzrapURW6Bc75vwCbk431Yvk&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBEZ1wjpXhRHiAb7FT2RvzCLjcSid_7C8I-jCqnC9UWbA&oe=6588B2A2 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Florida Emerging Art | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409720548_664908425840156_7451983613318302344_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=shlsNJ69DFkAX9vQHIL&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3uOGFcvsxp4YV70nKcbUEyM2n5yfY50aTh3Xk2WhmIA&oe=65883CEE | 0 | 3 | Florida Emerging Art @fl_emergingart and The Italy International Center @italyinternationalcenter is proud to announce an upcoming Traveling International Art Exhibition that will show in Sarasota, Florida January 13, 2023 and travel to Lazio, Italy in the summer of 2024.<br /> <br /> 📅 Save the Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM <br /> <br /> 📍 Where: Phillipi Crest Club, 2141 Burlington Lane, Sarasota, FL 34231<br /> <br /> 🌍 Event Details: Postcards from Utopia Exhibition<br /> <br /> Prepare to be transported into a realm of creativity with over 75 one-of-a-kind postcards from utopia, each crafted by talented artists, creatives, and visionaries from around the globe. This unique exhibition will showcase the diverse perspectives and artistic expressions of individuals hailing from Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, and the USA.<br /> <br /> 🎶 Live Sounds of Utopia 🎵<br /> <br /> Immerse yourself in the enchanting sounds of Utopia as the Jazz fusion trio takes the stage. The internationally recognized local resident artists, Jack Berry on bass, Akiem Esdaile on guitar, and Henley Connor on drums, will serenade you with a harmonious blend of musical talent. Get ready for an evening that transcends art and music boundaries.<br /> <br /> Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and let's make this an unforgettable experience! See you at the Phillipi Crest Club on January 13th, 2024. 🌟 #PostcardsFromUtopia #FLemergingart #InternationalArtExhibition #SarasotaArtScene #floridaart #ringlingcollege #emergingartists #artexhibition #supportlocalartists #floridaart #internationalart #floridacreatives #sarasotaart #sarasotaartists #sarasotacreatives #FLartists #sarasotaartevents #srqartevents #sarasotaartshow #sarasotaartgallery | fl_emergingart | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/fl_emergingart | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55744 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 3:49 PM | 1703105772 | 1744404580 | 65 | 348526451144502 | 5 | 3.5355846726739E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548136209 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494407 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410997708_713228494085766_4072413767307273193_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q-i8z5UhTGoAX-5qsU2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD26ZyhwUReW9yVfvixhhV665IN69gJ_E8erd92uk2cvg&oe=65878B84 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410640530_770347108263116_9155278870214878192_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VcDMVRqWaMsAX-JQQZv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOeoEOz34aZuheaLH4QweB_t-WhQfxJC8DMyPUsrpXDg&oe=65880F99 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56101 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 12:56 PM | 1703105776 | 1747763781 | 65 | 892858982553065 | 2 | 7.1937572440191E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259785930476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180916 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699537_1092522901775505_4800940763371127827_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V_B083CIRbkAX8IwBht&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQgXLpaFLOsonQ71raFQfh5fusuV6tUxn7axT1qop6-w&oe=65888BE2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409646226_343091831752577_1671177735386444671_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RtzvFBvVrTsAX_uG8Ez&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAkd3XD3ptvxXIZ56ZU2plTwzviT7Y4nHG9-EUOpsL3QQ&oe=6587EC07 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55806 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/22/25, 12:21 AM | 1703105773 | 1742620912 | 65 | 392442759777217 | 1 | 2.0965689206934E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509786860308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462547 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409730129_769852701643573_8360618740043106293_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aBsDAYy9p34AX-SfRLm&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3syQFHQ-8v_DovrUeNI4trdsSolO5Ob1vZ3ST7XN6hA&oe=6587F8BB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409436703_964687211942985_8781749959386896166_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XtTXQwwWkz4AX_D5yK6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBWbRFQAbdsiiine4O2-Q1SuW3T9NCv1vm68Rdh9Y-GAw&oe=65888A36 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56449 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/2/25, 2:19 AM | 1703105780 | 1740881940 | 65 | 24236298552684011 | 1 | 3.706483120849E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113840200491489 | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 6503411484103 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | https://www.instagram.com/_u/dearjoannaa | 1701378472 | 1.1384020049149E+14 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | person_profile | 0 | joanna tam | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406406223_1800624843695270_1218155898745768548_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CiOgK8UGg-cAX-bKVQu&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBB-eOIR2l5rVoA_aTdQBxSxMrNg4S936Sst13XBEE89A&oe=65887B0C | 0 | 3 | feeling cozy 🧸 @revolve<br /> <br /> outfit linked on LTK (link in bio) | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 0 | https://facebook.com/100080768289817 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55596 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 8:51 AM | 1703105771 | 1745589085 | 65 | 1472750599966401 | 1 | 1.2984879841739E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 111316124468950 | 0 | Robertson County, TX | 120208020302970456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Robertson County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702630773 | 1.1131612446895E+14 | Robertson County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409925312_1001186070944550_5043227379479595421_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1LL14IzZUiIAX9HPlvL&_nc_oc=AQmdiciRu6SoiAiw3vzoWDcLKQRj9GHEUBDIrNrSfnzwyVPF_ydZ1-X1OfptaMYjvWA&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB1M_Nfn8JGE6PguosZz1xwIsDC5aO04Bv715rAKU8zAg&oe=658780A8 | person_profile | 0 | Robertson County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410026809_1051916239183959_2785891215754513381_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wb31fpFb3ZoAX9NUIab&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDT9B2fqQzd1bG7EvUwKqi-8uG8iI9bvpcx648jkHBuYA&oe=6587BE2C | 0 | 3 | Robertson County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Robertson County, TX | 30 | https://facebook.com/100071441296654 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55967 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 10:58 AM | 1703105775 | 1745596695 | 65 | 1418459825774218 | 1 | 1.2022713940802E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 313065041793 | 0 | BibleMesh | 120203691611320013 | biblemesh.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://biblemesh.com/blog/meet-an-ma-in-theology-graduate-joanna-mcfarland/ | 1702382922 | 313065041793 | BibleMesh | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410662636_242814478683745_7975646542575288234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0SfQVbPkFXoAX-nfU6z&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCo0_AXrnz3NCKWOKTjhSIWtVWc57GUwktNcZSz2CVCpA&oe=658920E4 | person_profile | 0 | BibleMesh | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410695058_1076661270419603_6373130093926952803_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ud8ESTqLFpIAX9X94s_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA44IQP0qLYY558ybmFfrHZ6ls_yBM6_z85tUsHVVNIHA&oe=658870AF | 0 | 3 | Meet Joanna McFarland. She’s our first graduate in the fully online MA in Theology degree program.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbiblemesh.com%2Fblog%2Fmeet-an-ma-in-theology-graduate-joanna-mcfarland%2F&h=AT0rGN9NkuEKB2fUjuzBMmx_lft3ceIsnYUj7RVtDkVxasqGb_XkqGfvn8aoN6mSmhucBkDLBn0W6n76xEXPdE24lu-o4KWG2enZiuF3d4HCI8BcN613XSbNOoaI31m6qIpn0tnNc0izD-TVJBEVVKAv1UTS5PczFzrXIA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://biblemesh.com/blog/meet-an-ma-in-theology-graduate-joanna-mcfarland/</a> | BibleMesh | 32484 | https://facebook.com/biblemesh | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56294 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 2:58 AM | 1703105778 | 1750924735 | 65 | 854601549743459 | 1 | 2.7263122872691E+14 | 1701936000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 113745823383431 | 0 | kimberley.joanna | 120201371877100249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/kimberley.joanna | 1701617032 | 1.1374582338343E+14 | kimberley.joanna | https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/309066088_1267147980687113_3769485699294236454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=yvhyzbH-2Y8AX_L-yTL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBYjVBO1Ae1hzo0pbd3DSUVqgFWZp3LAzuHyhEbUOkLYg&oe=65878C8F | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Kimberley Joanna | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721628_658939412793076_8453942545159992971_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wg8E3gt4rhUAX9o25N0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfASRQnkqztjfLFK4tELnuXGeeF_u93FPMOGvsAlIDf7TA&oe=6587B78D | 0 | 3 | I am very exited to guest at @sous.berlin and have some time left, send me a dm or email if you want a tattoo ✨ | kimberley.joanna | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/kimberley.joanna | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56969 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 3:30 AM | 1703105786 | 1723797008 | 65 | 1329286721123779 | 5 | 2.8800859695267E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1702152333364539 | 0 | Two Red Dots | 120201778908950250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677875 | 1.7021523333645E+15 | Two Red Dots | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403732874_200696603079248_6327002370576212959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c0pVumBRrA4AX-y9s8E&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBvx9bZiFAl0njcw50IK-uJ8nJtH3a2KNPsMWXqUOtYPA&oe=6588D874 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Two Red Dots | 28460 | https://facebook.com/tworeddots | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55474 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/24/25, 8:47 PM | 1703105770 | 1740451670 | 65 | 662712845942962 | 1 | 1.5452706262833E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6533571659496 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702838148 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411461901_265859386498078_324713210627748798_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d_8zNYY0QEUAX8Pj6QV&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHNelSskDskftcFvDitq-Mv8TxF0pd6PgvtDbklvlqLQ&oe=6588A43C | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411455952_913293466975195_7514309582736874347_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9MQ9koa0sqkAX-QW0mj&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB87JidLfPO05F0FyKgMS_3DsXhEPLHaFSlbDMfDj4tMg&oe=6588C026 | 0 | 3 | Yeyyy just a post about making my another dream come true !! Shooting newborn session of 3 babies is challenging thankfully this trio did great 😊🥰🥰🥰💝💝💝i love what i do 💝💝#newbornphotography #chicagonewbornphotographer#triplets #tripletsofinstagram | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55538 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 4:49 PM | 1703105771 | 1742507395 | 65 | 390193176686870 | 1 | 3.5067870755458E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104042452981815 | 0 | AARP Black Community | 6524871050308 | NONE | video | 1702661279 | 1.0404245298182E+14 | AARP Black Community | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411191156_320508677534882_3602794171975595957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M8h0UX1o_gcAX_QfctO&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAsi6YE9wsE5AZXunWi0OdK-KMwc2bHXQI1ApWnjNlPtg&oe=65887F0C | person_profile | 0 | AARPBlackCom | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409756616_308574032150849_7423266361145795167_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mGFIbSvofDEAX9_EIqf&_nc_oc=AQlk4cbueUs1GQCsUjY85BK5F-Jvc_3NzqM0qdgIsdOuhhXIvE5k2YlYbkl2e3qs5Ug&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB_pZSqNck26T7qfzRWRHgDRmXCKPWfB9nfSA123iFXGQ&oe=65891A1B | 0 | 3 | Join Je’Wana and her daughters as they dish out their 10-cheese mac and cheese secret, a family treasure. 🧀 | AARP Black Community | 390999 | https://facebook.com/AARPBlackCommunity | 0 | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56721 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/4/25, 2:53 AM | 1703105783 | 1746345224 | 65 | 370569018754008 | 1 | 1.0954154951505E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104109038124697 | 0 | Joanna Njie | 120203634790280729 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannanjiex | 1700918214 | 1.041090381247E+14 | Joanna Njie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403732341_742597341080612_3041508093457584888_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TUREnRQQfUMAX-Zy6O5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDwqQuceOegbFWOLCt57wZ03ekIZlBInxrHHcsuAfkKkw&oe=658804A1 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Njie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405791760_365741352570387_7161813860126572711_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Kpv1giPgitwAX9guydL&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJ9vKDNc1QFTgfNnYg5lAvweP1B5w4u3E5N3IDGXA4SQ&oe=65893C39 | 0 | 3 | About last night.. #birthdayvibes 🥳<br /> <br /> #explore #explorepage #exploremore #birthday #birthdayweekend #goodvibes #foryoupage #fashion #fashionstyle #fashionblogger | Joanna Njie | 0 | https://facebook.com/100069706101016 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55865 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 3:04 PM | 1703105774 | 1750968289 | 65 | 902353134564917 | 1 | 3.6658254240223E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434456200465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447461 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410453486_686500240237927_1551638494493860062_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_idVk77f06EAX9bPld7&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBQAQfx5j5k9LRA27Ac4KBX9dIfyvLNnQ-3vP6wbhSCXA&oe=658771CA | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410386403_1044352890149453_8828964937141925754_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IeGNqDdCMywAX_uDPBa&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5XmkKb-WIEARrZw2u0pKX6eS2fMrv2d64_enO7Y5WRw&oe=65878A5D | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56713 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 12:47 AM | 1703105783 | 1742968071 | 65 | 564191739215159 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104524871533020 | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | 120201464540250382 | fb.me | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://fb.me/ | 1700948277 | 1.0452487153302E+14 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405655254_660166066289593_4232075513594665342_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XfdPGzgTYfwAX_WIEZ3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDeCShiP4Reyu5c145tX9V3M6w1Fn5Gf181acfrDp-8vg&oe=6588165C | person_profile | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405581189_6768247423266470_8843904194241236672_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TMdUkk3acewAX-9xlr9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC5cLnSJaaDG84WHm3sfMsMR6Ei_wkWvN51XXbFU1csaA&oe=6588F34A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Motivo Scar Care | 203 | https://facebook.com/MotivoScarCare | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55773 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 7:24 AM | 1703105773 | 1751027041 | 65 | 732275672142102 | 5 | 3.5355846726739E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548030209 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409980647_3409521639328975_2257122575686503363_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ADwCU99bqKgAX-yUubT&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBKbwXNu8oMaKYPjmXJUhtm1NBhBAhzRSaOMktB6fSWdw&oe=6587D492 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410132130_937718224354537_2607750661800980764_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ojUENkWKBVMAX8AsEoL&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCnlfc1-DHJY0Shes5oyO32Kl2k5xmIlGaBGBFD3kc9Hw&oe=6588C139 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55764 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/22/25, 10:07 PM | 1703105773 | 1742699243 | 65 | 7048635585195730 | 1 | 3.3773328554761E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548083609 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494398 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408218839_271632618865376_1309274729702981900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WLzye0IOm-AAX_NdiBV&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDVb6OwpeZd7HlbFgAInEyigNMEUYEbdxI2B-hucx1Dpg&oe=6588036F | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408218903_211733351980119_1938539846996858947_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rrim2FdFV3oAX-ZH1dw&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDoZFhrEjWBWMFxi2MGfFtfMouFp3pKlP4U37-vl2Mkag&oe=65889F2E | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55561 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970739 | 65 | 333440086117142 | 2 | 3.335148227866E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011766470506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702637043 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409928776_348815351203936_3277702663630057197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y6i5imQvhiUAX9muUva&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCuc4z43_YF2TqGIoxxS9Z6bnqQBNJu8STRatlwqOw11Q&oe=65880317 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409928264_1711401572681975_1473889346630375855_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i1Fg0e8Dzy8AX-tDN7M&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9eOKqo3YOPKk5JSynK6tgUzMvhw17iT0ILYgr5CfLfA&oe=6587EBA4 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55696 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/8/24, 8:06 PM | 1703105772 | 1723165618 | 65 | 1274515427283390 | 1 | 3.2925759324627E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 156012997601512 | 0 | Joanna Feldman | 120203240748040126 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/feldman_joanna | 1702560470 | 1.5601299760151E+14 | Joanna Feldman | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411200736_756341089677240_7212706473278517433_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RexlD5GD2aMAX84AeGk&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVna0uZDr0UMrnBH2qrYwUohqpAv_Es-dB3_DvEqPwzg&oe=6587BC18 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Feldman || TOP LIDER • NETWORK • Aloesowe Petardy 📲 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411213261_1924595521275757_3688184455507395293_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRPZe7P8EsUAX_Y_f5A&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAyOHYTwlFI-2d7i639CfKWkbz-416TeNDWE-hXnAHFZQ&oe=65893A85 | 0 | 3 | Gotowa na najlepszy rok Twojego życia? Dołącz do mojego webinaru i chwyć 2024 za rogi!🗓️🔥<br /> <br /> Niech ten rok będzie całkowicie Twój! 🚀<br /> <br /> To Twoja szansa, by wejść w Nowy Rok z planem, energią i gotowością do działania. <br /> <br /> Dowiedz się, jak możesz zacząć realizować swoje marzenia i cele. Nie pozwól, by kolejny rok minął Ci bez zmian. ❗️<br /> <br /> Zrób pierwszy krok ku lepszemu – zaczynamy razem! <br /> <br /> 👉 Zapraszam Cię na webinar, który da Ci narzędzia i inspirację do tego, aby 2024 był rokiem Twojego sukcesu. <br /> <br /> Dołącz do mnie i razem zrobimy ten rok niezapomnianym!<br /> <br /> ➡️ Zostaw ♥️ lub napisz do mnie wiadomość 📩, a otrzymasz bezpłatne wejściówkę na webinar, po którym już nie będziesz mogła powiedzieć, że nie dostałaś od życia szansy!🥰 | Joanna Feldman | 0 | https://facebook.com/61553286580270 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56172 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 11:11 PM | 1703105777 | 1750997491 | 65 | 1359687804685027 | 1 | 1.1075652502695E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 416589001735771 | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | 120202885561650552 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/djjoannacoelho | 1702038459 | 4.1658900173577E+14 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409144270_1780903785692328_3582383239498729063_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D5iru7RpqZEAX8SZ4Ak&_nc_oc=AQkKRxogabH_YJtPZYDOOLixfd7pAm60hqF66MbH-9vbziAJL06RyawE7ERWWsrx50CJr-vKORUlZ9trVd-96Bt6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBaAveyDIahks9AeFCGR3f9auQotKW6wp-j4ZWf6dJq5Q&oe=6587AB63 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408644537_1055468745656902_5274269658938448992_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KNMxYSMjULMAX9Q9CnF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAvJDcvLpSU02iJCLXu-PqltG7PROeGcccEqU9-TVDyeA&oe=6588AD23 | 0 | 3 | @soundwavesfest official After party at @almanua.pt was 🤟🥵🔥<br /> <br /> Thank you to everyone involved 🙏💙<br /> <br /> TID @djalextb - Open Your Mind ( UNRELEASED )‼️<br /> <br /> #technogirl #ravers #ravegirls #raveparty #technolovers #berlin #hardtechnodjane #party #technoculture #ravergirl #technoravers<br /> #Techtok #joannacoelho | JOANNA COELHO | 21301 | https://facebook.com/djjoannacoelho | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56673 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/8/24, 11:25 PM | 1703105783 | 1723177500 | 65 | 1027978878531823 | 5.7974953763093E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145421020740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | World Exclusive: Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence for the First Time. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806347 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404348857_1335065907118570_4362050518726449125_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GiVxVU7IDsUAX_tCVDx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDEmvHor49hyuYL9WDiTHHBHRP9Oc5HK2FQKtzasTEulg&oe=6588104F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Untold Story: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband, Spilling Behind-the-Scenes Show Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56812 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 8:12 PM | 1703105784 | 1751073159 | 65 | 6724269267668224 | 1 | 6.6521774580348E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632030320115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796607 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405529902_634689751957361_4892430525057195607_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LuVIRlRKDjAAX9V6ApJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBoGC1mVsyGiRa0hwcJBq_0SjP7OBEDmpO6GAdo7hKMSA&oe=6588A4D4 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405541655_352751214010784_3215426422305689399_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t-6yD0z9j6AAX9YM9H2&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCT1xSOgz9jWm2S1LXoHk0uy0B8RA0WcwD8ftfvXu796A&oe=6588232B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56111 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 6:49 AM | 1703105777 | 1742384962 | 65 | 341595098490410 | 1 | 2.6236346685337E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 157384851487469 | 0 | Joanna Rengel | 120202520362130024 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannarengel_corp | 1702173403 | 1.5738485148747E+14 | Joanna Rengel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409486862_328435406655467_3007316692506167704_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dcy1oEgLe84AX-_kNeo&_nc_oc=AQnXhRSAIu4gh0otcaAAmZ7dJb0bGC7FU33SQWgd-6Dd3IfuWtoQ7GEuqfYuCGiyoRd3u84-13zBab_FdJqJy-lU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgQldFbE28nJl0xdXTPrtGDjcsJxkUjtBdDRDc0tn75Q&oe=6587C65E | person_profile | 0 | Coach Creativa & Espiritual | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409480645_717251787011884_5113235207494559153_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2vnhsYpulvUAX8rP9gK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDhIc-FVtZmGIj7IG4fBGKVsRlX_WyrbwG3Kw2Yn0dlOQ&oe=6587B0E7 | 0 | 3 | ✨ Escucha tu corazón a profundidad para que puedas tomar decisiones sabias y te lleven a cumplir tus objetivos. <br /> <br /> ✨ Todas tenemos esa vocecita por dentro que nos dice que todo lo podemos lograr y a veces nos cuesta creerlo. <br /> <br /> ✨ Nos cerramos por el miedo y por falta de amor, pero cuando sigues tu intuición y te dejas guiar, estás dejando entrar abundancia a tu vida y en ese momento comienzas a sentirte más auténtica, más libre y más poderosa. <br /> <br /> 👉🏻👉🏻 Si sientes el llamado y quieres comprometerte aún más contigo misma, escríbeme por interno la palabra<br /> 💛 CORAZÓN 💛y te ayudo a conectarte desde el amor en mi mentoría 1:1 personalizada ♾️🤍<br /> <br /> #creativelifehappylife #creativehealing #creative #crecimientoespiritual #energia #mindset #creativelife #selflove #amorpropio #selfcare #innerchild #innerpeace #intentionalliving #marcasquevibran #creenciaslimitantes #poderdelamente #escuchatucorazón #coachcreativa #mentoriaonline #coachingemocional #healthcoaching | Joanna Rengel | 1142 | https://facebook.com/joannarengel | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56891 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/27/24, 10:27 PM | 1703105785 | 1735360026 | 65 | 284717073988825 | 5 | 1.442981893229E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201779378060250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678825 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478384_307379925475582_6668460916514100970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vdNMyEbD_1IAX9uDApf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_-opZWcxs_UWH4KUYq9UkkkgTflcSl59UqM6jcCvtug&oe=6588A135 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55879 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 12:26 PM | 1703105774 | 1751045162 | 65 | 1106357170728233 | 3 | 3.6807866254761E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120203363476630682 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | 37 Photos Of The Place Joanna Gaines Lives In With Her Partner | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702450951 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410421289_7172461036147119_7249366461880378718_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cW_4J1O-ZR0AX_P7-_S&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD_IhtGi_GFhfNJMBKwOxVCy0mlFzp1GGsXzYDcQNbx7A&oe=658775AB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55436 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 12:30 PM | 1703105769 | 1751045426 | 65 | 658985883092148 | 1 | 1.1356361163119E+14 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 111994025080745 | 0 | garrioharrison | 6534307510260 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/garrioharrison | 1702893456 | 1.1199402508074E+14 | garrioharrison | https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/350553196_201597582826337_2633002791752369103_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=kWULPnqy-zEAX9Tdqk1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfCqxDroIPW6W1uOq7w7wBcLc05PI8hZVha2E825-OHPKg&oe=65880567 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Garrio Harrison | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411971459_666865432195466_5833466332725191576_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Urrj12Kvuo8AX_2g5uO&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCWRbR7Wk3WBkLXcGHb4ytyb_q_XlyCqDHuM8CNwLOVgg&oe=6588E452 | 0 | 3 | To stay on top of where the future is headed, one of the things I pay close attention to are the trends impacting the fashion industry.<br /> <br /> ✅ The industry sits at the intersection of business model innovation, environmental sustainability efforts, music, branding, sales and marketing, sports, culture, art, design, media, technology, experience design, retail, finance, human capital, and entertainment—as a result, the ideas the creatives at the center of the industry create become trends and ripple through the economy.<br /> <br /> To stay on top of the ideas shaping the industry, I prioritize spending time with creators I believe are masters of their craft to get their perspectives on emerging technology and trends.<br /> <br /> ✅ I had the pleasure of spending some time talking with @ramadhan_designs founder Rammy Mohamed, getting her insights on everything from sustainability to art's influence on design, the retail industry ecosystem's evolution, cultural influences on creative output, and fashion trends.<br /> <br /> The best part was Joanna, and Andre joined us, and Andre got to design his first jacket—I'm grateful Rammy was willing to share her perspective with us and her gift of creativity with him. | garrioharrison | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/garrioharrison | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56868 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 11:35 AM | 1703105785 | 1743611754 | 65 | 286973457079838 | 1 | 1.3451861030266E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111590884348619 | 0 | Scoolinary | 120203950046630679 | scoolinary.com/christmas-desserts | Watch more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.scoolinary.com/courses/christmas-desserts | 1700679874 | 1.1159088434862E+14 | Scoolinary | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403613002_805689881309072_7767401198295744866_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bBjyYhaJmx0AX-sQOqR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCXeEpP5AS7kkJ_ic_HpQ-OaHfPX6JbEM5kLeXa7NgTBA&oe=65883FF4 | person_profile | 0 | scoolinary_en | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403615285_873637664089394_2004533309424656436_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AHThxqlVhdsAX_v6nsL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDN5ltH84WeZ3EfT59qTAJn5gO41fLwgzTNLM7UXrKZyA&oe=65880081 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Scoolinary | 180515 | https://facebook.com/ScoolinaryEN | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56817 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/25/25, 3:41 PM | 1703105784 | 1740519707 | 65 | 3671079293160222 | 1 | 3.7099902210698E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200341050610122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/n2ubobd0mpzo0eypph03lps0?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700807529 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405548935_687445973367479_876644150285575446_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rk1VlMUvQuAAX9Ze24b&_nc_oc=AQktGBwD5b8H4nn3ZAOPwRKuCyV8hPIDKmQAPEZ9uGwSNc2MCUQkP-bIZoMVU8yWGLM&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBSfOeGKD92iCklfsDHoZQJ8r9ixEpUMNt_TSppX8vNcg&oe=6588335F | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404603820_677812364496678_4362581624176452925_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GNoHQSH9losAX8bOmi5&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCjX43N4tJQG6r1UKhbcBmsRBM2w_senbwErpY1ZY-Jpw&oe=65888FEE | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56396 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/4/25, 11:39 PM | 1703105780 | 1749098380 | 65 | 312362591693839 | 1.4272105615288E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101598762667562 | 0 | Blanco entertainment | 120201401743190549 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701636108 | 1.0159876266756E+14 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407823400_385872717438514_3627636120844193243_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EBDEnXtMaJkAX_YH8N9&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBFChABjjdOzDKTx8p7rG15JzL0pRVgV3WbF_pDSaBYPw&oe=65879AB3 | person_profile | 0 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407987080_855024809651569_5035097820990203763_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PVgFhOvkhAMAX-Cqkva&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAQ0WSl8yF_zyyds5CTHPy-o5oeM_GCn_RwCOEQzTC6pg&oe=65880074 | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Blanco entertainment | 50 | https://facebook.com/100084702515578 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56275 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970741 | 65 | 1527633691383966 | 2 | 3.6476807956901E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202302911810520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | 37 Truly Strange Facts About Chip And Joanna Gaines' 'So Called' Marriage | A Look at Chip and Joanna Gaines's Love Story | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701933138 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407728974_1441116696749968_5058634954124217470_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d_dsZedwz7AAX9dtSKr&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMXgIso3fxQyueTA0fmQc1nQEKqV3UdicHmTrU45WdYg&oe=6587BD6E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 37 Truly Strange Facts About Chip And Joanna Gaines' 'So Called' Marriage | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56805 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 12:50 PM | 1703105784 | 1745603431 | 65 | 868739171574179 | 1 | 7.1675863001059E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632012030115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796595 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403738364_689062346338655_132818471599902485_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FVDSNyHGFtUAX9bMQaA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDX_8Ld8ZwyW1pZKzyTwDcKuoLf9oHsOsRt8AlLuWyd1g&oe=6587C357 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403751466_199543686531221_1145100494536593428_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iFdnAWXrpAoAX9kGPPm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRFsbgWNjeOOXJaSrMRsIcj9odDquPZELqwgOXDdNJhQ&oe=65893147 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56095 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 2:22 AM | 1703105776 | 1742455371 | 65 | 320081430911436 | 1 | 9.2324909598972E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259863160476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181168 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409544973_270129996061298_688242236727104752_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KYo-DtM1R5AAX9BHHUV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfARJH-byDryFnD-jRTMvq-2hfi9KZ-unhRs5mZWbN7Giw&oe=65887652 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409809200_292769093208466_6355420740923341698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VOy96oCmWO4AX-5IoAq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDHAZL9AJ6IOeScX-XSQsU6rQs8_WNOCGuhO6EWrqwGxw&oe=6588BDE9 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55674 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/16/24, 6:18 AM | 1703105772 | 1731737880 | 65 | 904520197687370 | 1 | 3.5699367932739E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 113164681789221 | 0 | Floral Side | 120203818577060300 | koberecreationstudio.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Joanna and Chip's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Give-away! | https://koberecreationstudio.com/ | 1702592781 | 1.1316468178922E+14 | Floral Side | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411193922_1385727825352830_763875717675865053_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aS3q-PgOtYEAX-iELV7&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDyHrjBJLsWCWna3s8-YkRA8qy_2uIYKyzOsD2WM7_yow&oe=65875483 | person_profile | 0 | Floral Side | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411234306_2017466498623186_1055804153174300935_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jm69Y7VR48sAX9mXWTt&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC9fDamT0dyK-MFPwRXWJbTRzlvKu7UVK5GIFGw2TRRrw&oe=6588D4E9 | 0 | 3 | (Backed by a Lifetime Warranty). Guaranteed, the last cookware set you will own. Get yours now! | Floral Side | 183 | https://facebook.com/Floral.SideHD | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55457 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 9:38 PM | 1703105770 | 1747190311 | 65 | 675992121344794 | 3.4553345143511E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201981191470452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702863106 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411389880_1777137766068399_9054810263745797756_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UQ9aoT7yXTQAX80nV32&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBn5_4NDU-yDEjuUz-vQvkiRwZAHveZBmn2jCHgSTOYoA&oe=6587B20C | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411405981_918705776640212_7255948239710655784_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EfTWVEEK2xsAX_ke8mK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCIKsMStdoi7s2SzvJd_TggTNgk5FfvMrkSDmECx2CvZg&oe=6588F9F3 | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT0TQZuGIuEWVn4R--BKcv7tjD8TkbWP6Ol_RmMHBKRmmLD3uViQeQJgJ7Ll4bLZgozjc_uSF4VdVCqDuPunw4tl_akksYMTliDAJdCgW_KDgyKPC4bsGiSQYmy50gbUkxvY_JurrPlzZny045SDNdlld8U" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56404 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 9:38 PM | 1703105780 | 1747190313 | 65 | 359311553313947 | 1 | 7.6028751927194E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200978578180773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701578944 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407404384_754496070026444_7661457286165413202_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xlkgfQwuAO4AX_tzwSW&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB0sY34gvhKsRipaEoC0jjoPPjZoYDTT0zmzGrX0TmiTw&oe=6587B63E | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407756994_1400093997245905_5107836745441177688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M_1n-8N95cQAX-0HiVX&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDhodyFBdhexz2t5lQpqLXSVJxQyDH8caUiHlzkEQe2sQ&oe=65892FF0 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56854 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 9:38 PM | 1703105785 | 1747190313 | 65 | 1073940293775881 | 1 | 7.4751433719263E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611907190115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700723098 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403086040_379850004467276_2796809494934962070_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z2GeQHftHv8AX_vMxNl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDP89Cz4l7s3062Yop5-vaP-QIi4cOWL72f9omxSZ6iiw&oe=6587D0A5 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403060819_1476259786440155_8075074310770382163_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UHFi0tq00FoAX-oLmWs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA299v0XNw3iINN6GEIsYmMwSr9PJZYy9oiPSIrCgnstA&oe=65891F5C | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56500 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 10:26 PM | 1703105781 | 1747193211 | 65 | 281312688218285 | 1 | 1.0212066756602E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203115910130294 | m.dreame.com | Download | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | https://m.dreame.com/novel/1800871680?auto_jump=true&utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_prt=risingtechnolog&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701257158 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404799380_1036459537573329_6715727238424857314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i3DnwQx99PIAX9CUHs9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBzaPKJS8bwYxpu8kGapv__r_I10cu0a4B2NFTT7roYvg&oe=6587BF77 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404714462_871976721060264_3557813557040835273_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3A5o9nkWHZQAX8Pdioy&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDF0nQFtQ34a6F8aTQynrek6Oqc8Y_zREq72cWjzbUbnw&oe=6588F0F1 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55739 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 7:47 PM | 1703105772 | 1749257235 | 65 | 912247563578465 | 6.6481315887783E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590550920209 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494667 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409761982_760237999476040_6802496355375344639_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EjhOJgO9fbIAX8DvnJx&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfANQjmY-xCKvEfqajjVCsYoN5pkPim1jhzySzjDI-vK-w&oe=6588A5DC | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409761326_910627387280679_8984870165086288904_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lJkEmXsKX5sAX8HllJG&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCXaqeaqpTs8RytKa_odx76Km_wvbL7r_j1XSkJ-CuW6Q&oe=65879BB9 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56312 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/21/25, 1:16 PM | 1703105779 | 1750529790 | 65 | 262976323446699 | 1 | 1.6659644905584E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881952070476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856025 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407956645_733756081472001_6433089034305944441_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=syeIqudMZPEAX_iXrBN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAS_AdO58Ey-Y0BHqURdSi8dp8_VPREnD8h0s8UXN6k-Q&oe=6587F74F | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407936386_3652603138285198_4803322959159040675_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cTgEgXiBXOcAX8RQN_K&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfACxm3ByPu1MmXHspJDs4bmuKkIsxrUCI0MTxzxFPsE0w&oe=6587571D | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56382 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 11:04 PM | 1703105780 | 1747195443 | 65 | 1103771454137962 | 1.5123013262127E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100416769039566 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 120202284846370275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666334 | 1.0041676903957E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407961813_1769768056796972_5471958027358502366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pb2CWNsIDKQAX_WZs_T&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAmoLiCOC2nyvXl8f9-oWlbu8KL-FILzU3-a2q8damsyA&oe=65881650 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 5454 | https://facebook.com/lifestylea2z.spanish | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56612 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 11:04 PM | 1703105782 | 1747195463 | 65 | 676914110904429 | 1 | 1.9071745069718E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 298516343584252 | 0 | Monica Murphy | 120202351769010268 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🏈 Sports Romance FREE in Kindle Unlimited | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZJZ6RQF?maas=maas_adg_5E967AE60E8963EA202F669F90F37E36_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas | 1701106092 | 2.9851634358425E+14 | Monica Murphy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404740300_1531862837579304_625037744101741068_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wG2JudB8CKwAX_qDrS3&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC2xhxdcEs2JgCp1t8WvMuiR3wE1WHWoj7RgrzcKbM4Xg&oe=6588D835 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Joanna, a reserved junior at Colorado University, lives a life far removed from the spotlight, preferring the quiet lanes of academia to the uproarious fame of campus sports. But her world tilts on its axis when Knox Maguire, the star offensive tight end and a campus legend, strides into her bookstore sanctuary. In him, she sees everything she vowed to avoid—a mirror of her athlete father, a man she has cut out of her life.<br /> <br /> Yet, fate has other plans. Thrown together by chance, Joanna becomes Knox's unlikely English tutor, an assignment that sparks a forbidden attraction. Each session blurs the line between professionalism and a smoldering desire that even the hushed corridors of the library can't contain. Knox, known for his player persona, finds himself genuinely captivated by Joanna's quiet strength and sharp wit, challenging her guarded skepticism and awakening a passion she's never dared to explore.<br /> <br /> But as their academic roles tangle with unspoken emotions, Joanna is haunted by lingering doubts. Is her heart safe with Knox, or is she just another name in his playbook? Torn between the pull of desire and the fear of vulnerability, Joanna stands at a crossroads. In a world where campus fame collides with scholarly duty, can love truly conquer all, or is it destined to be another lesson learned?<br /> <br /> 'Playing Hard to Get' is a tale of forbidden love and hidden depths, where the stakes are not just academic success, but the risk of falling hard and fast. Will Joanna and Knox's story defy the odds, or will it succumb to the pressures of a world where notoriety and quiet dreams seldom meet? | Monica Murphy | 50003 | https://facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55789 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 10:09 PM | 1703105773 | 1751080190 | 65 | 323120850543184 | 2 | 1.8294816908026E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104682145044102 | 0 | Lena Hendrix Author | 23858292338850253 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Small Town, Brother's Best Friend Romance! | Start reading now... | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091V6X69L | 1693841498 | 1.046821450441E+14 | Lena Hendrix Author | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/375564882_274290835461057_5581859090234556069_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fygW_c0VKbAAX-ahSGL&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBmQP5mp5B6g6d9tLv84CEJ4gXCApALRhTOu9W9YFldQA&oe=6587E3EC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | I felt like I was falling apart at the seams; Joanna pulled at one thread and I was unraveling at her feet.<br /> <br /> FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3Z2D9ao&h=AT0w7unDcyy0fOS_DA-4ai607ne1FkpRV8-Y308dPKJghR_NLDi9M0IZSWlZgFiKLyehlB1MaLiou3xqo5fGb3P35PQ4v_H1DTCuhOQ5tCt3y1W0GGQ3CzB5Yt8bJ4PJ_SHoNBwAf7J_3-ZRYfbmoz73M6k" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3Z2D9ao</a> | Lena Hendrix Author | 946 | https://facebook.com/lenahendrixwrites | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55851 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 11:29 PM | 1703105774 | 1751084980 | 65 | 322960307270943 | 2 | 8.6241212202675E+14 | 1702627200 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103862972598152 | 0 | zendalacraft | 120203110251240005 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/zendalacraft | 1702455310 | 1.0386297259815E+14 | zendalacraft | https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/327749956_742099477207961_1623403982017122936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=J6STZ9aipkEAX9BX-V_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDfk0qdQVzHKMTmB1ujGxf07D3AOFmwhqRYPQPNt70zug&oe=6588C97D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Medina | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409765112_929252295202109_8507039563207717012_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p54nlv9OziMAX_i8Yzx&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfARWi76YInh7jO0TWiRq2lBt_uNcYEoPfHgJIGSZt9WDg&oe=6588A5E8 | 0 | 3 | TEMA: WORKSHOP BRUSH LETTERING NIVEL BÁSICO. EN NAVIDAD 🪅🎄🧑🏻🎄🎅🏻<br /> <br /> Aprenderás desde cero el arte de crear letras!!! <br /> <br /> * MODALIDAD PRESENCIAL :<br /> <br /> 📆 Fecha: Sábado 16 de Diciembre 2023<br /> 📌 Edad: Cualquier edad, A partir de 8 años en adelante !!!<br /> ⏱️ Hora: 9:00 am a 1:00 pm <br /> 💵 Forma de Pago: Zelle, transferencia, pago móvil, PayPal <br /> <br /> 📍LUGAR: Zona Norte, cerca del Sambil, Taller de Arte Zendala Craft, Maracaibo, Venezuela.<br /> Modalidad: PRESENCIAL <br /> ———<br /> Incluye Kit de Materiales:<br /> - Guía Física para prácticas.<br /> - Set de marcadores punta pincel.<br /> - Portaminas, Borrador <br /> - Material para prácticas.<br /> - Refrigerio <br /> <br /> Dictado por: <br /> Dra. Joanna Medina <br /> Arquitecto.<br /> <br /> Contenido del Taller: <br /> 1. Clase Introductoria<br /> 2. Ejercicios de Trazos Básicos, con prácticas guiadas en tiempo real <br /> 3.Alfabeto Sans Serif en letras minúsculas.<br /> 3. Prácticas de abecedario en tiempo real, con variaciones de estilos de letras. <br /> 4.Anatomía de las letras, diseño y de frases o ideas, paso a paso.<br /> 5. Práctica final motivo Navidad | zendalacraft | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/zendalacraft | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56719 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 5:46 PM | 1703105783 | 1723675606 | 65 | 732496132079095 | 1 | 1.9356772401615E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120203184816430409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700944925 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403883650_1452480698985508_2687057088717162557_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VezczcM3Bi8AX_LGfnv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXsmjLUCSNsCaQqTarFWQSaU4eyu8JP-H0_tbRXNVJKg&oe=65890A55 | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405751504_996658561430370_4320558668484546719_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W5mOjgbxxXsAX-STSaH&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAjsMMPjmhlu3I2IVyFuh-rZWJS1xUbuW81ovQDsRm2uA&oe=6588B5E3 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56474 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/16/24, 5:42 PM | 1703105781 | 1726526526 | 65 | 375910441524936 | 5 | 8.188272099976E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202134454210728 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332841 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406268882_1822971428161392_168000932333069641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Td3W7OAlHDwAX9-1lAb&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqCOeKIfo-nTs10NMvRgyx09d_pHx5TtoYuykqVLLFKg&oe=65889954 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56016 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970743 | 65 | 3585593595041153 | 3 | 5.910962964769E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216195140123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310336 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409647827_1456647255065167_5600756588342504723_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6iS6EGLZIukAX83hzzd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB89f4i8bVNYShGKHAIm5T-t8bTQ_sdhxQm5z_uAB02zw&oe=6587E658 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409659997_319855320932718_9027844136314652030_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NgYlMgPepjsAX9WcmFT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAMKOUQ8AGWm_cLtDsxfEP-FuRdTDsNXwy6bUbVg5tw4A&oe=6587F92C | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55901 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970744 | 65 | 342776761698924 | 8.470059204479E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501141560889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702317807 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409401762_286380327753756_3040255351804350437_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T19wvJsCoiMAX88CslF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA64f8NkJ8CgX4dmN7PYltwdTDwW2ppOUxp3_qKw9mfXQ&oe=65889D06 | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409425418_1365195214100628_5672578302329313734_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=koIZFINHfvkAX9UfQ3Z&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDk3s6wjMqteMGzNj7SQoqQc8bOWBbwYpWBiNtyDIzVKg&oe=65883BAA | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2ouCuiuj4QmScs63PlNhz-ovrqvthUfvjsSwZB5LO28DcQnc_RZfWlV1CLncx1VQHY50Bm_a9lWvSWA8szfDM_b2K6v495m7NaDPHb3GEEBPBU6lnBg1Z8uUaribFBQr2XU_8BasWRRQ_0y1fsKsqihiwH8O4ZaVTYCx3KsoI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56594 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/6/25, 9:44 PM | 1703105782 | 1749264280 | 65 | 648817213998176 | 1 | 8.9211544874136E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715939650115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140272 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405259941_361006473276875_8412699683726425964_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zrFCtkcctQIAX-A_Zxb&_nc_oc=AQmjOEMmyO9x__ELTj0-y0U8TbVItWrQ2KUaWI_oaMHUNuDQSohl3dXHTZ7eD0Udy0M&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBHKMCmy9AQB4dwAGbBZaGJIvtv0TI5mgGLOE4nqPLXHw&oe=65876A73 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405236815_869663014564219_6859996616158472653_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ovx-lHRoL9EAX8defuv&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCl1OAyPKQ36br5kgFK2amhatHoZHIaDb9QN_7flJ3b5g&oe=65887351 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55567 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/22/24, 4:32 PM | 1703105771 | 1732314764 | 65 | 375576158332983 | 1 | 1.9704949673688E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011752820506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636938 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410911770_380019374548143_6094981563395204564_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eZiaXRF3560AX_zbe50&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBNA7xngHwr4WIuY9qd3GhDT42B_ReXkd_Tzmjr5ySCFw&oe=658852F3 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411006020_339856275350653_2089274983909483176_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JhxbmYMdCxwAX-RE-rC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBLKAvWwRCh9D2HA-c3s60E1fLiscs5kcH1TAqJo1LjMw&oe=65893B76 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56843 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 1:46 AM | 1703105785 | 1747205180 | 65 | 726068689583253 | 1 | 1.5479762626965E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207954530403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724586 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404298901_1062504404793015_9209675765582316848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6nxoq1eWe1kAX-Z1Q4P&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCTjVoHrnKdFbyamH3dUtzdmP9ld891RehIck8SU56fLQ&oe=6589417E | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404301084_1417784205750197_2533614947528819381_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NmQAlGJcjZcAX8nXfpI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQybGfMieUGcDMMN39eLRwvuQ1RMbYpk8IHsfZEjcdiQ&oe=6587F796 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56105 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970745 | 65 | 1364250657560593 | 6 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259664190476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180805 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409183979_3473766239620476_1821771378878008836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tqjOuU20iN8AX-mly7z&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBGMopKHaULwtO0vsyb5FQeD7gS4LqwwUoRaiISyFqrBw&oe=6588300B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409721427_210800145408817_4896619129806496076_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OnfvJ-q03aEAX_wThJL&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAkNNZdMjkTfQv1eY3T9xiWdbTrTuFvFQvM-j-MAyk4MA&oe=6588930A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56856 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 8:48 AM | 1703105785 | 1747230520 | 65 | 1394822641447776 | 2.6441433323993E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207901600403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724609 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403195873_1018063352581424_7223781795138877933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OlyXgw0jZZMAX9II7_g&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD62JktRmxv1CbOXKVB8jA-tvxk0gbayEgcXTkNR26dYA&oe=6587D76F | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403168568_1012656396688857_4309740521469452986_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w61wR3Om8uYAX_p42cs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfARRn5m4YHkugXW3LjrDNz5RjpvG-rWr_s8_RfuR3Zrjg&oe=65885CDE | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56470 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 9:26 AM | 1703105780 | 1747232762 | 65 | 690235199870096 | 1 | 3.8374211068572E+14 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108524135250933 | 0 | William Helburn | 120201096517700593 | williamhelburn.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://williamhelburn.com/ | 1701341727 | 1.0852413525093E+14 | William Helburn | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406067940_879941097193657_5636277887507495217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l4JD98Tp8R4AX9o7fOZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpIZLZZ0WBoNHR-FFY_VLbV3lyopt8veXHb0LetfdZOw&oe=65893A4F | person_profile | 0 | William Helburn | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406242779_1476691849574078_2164083501816864373_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9ZsgEXureMEAX_5vX6R&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEw1GKFag_e-crl4yGa34xhkc5ku_xYTlgYMGdZpQFtw&oe=65879030 | 0 | 3 | Joanna McCormick <br /> Limo 1951<br /> <br /> #williamhelburn<br /> #william_helburn<br /> #joannamccormick<br /> #fashion <br /> #fashionphotography <br /> #retrofashionphotography<br /> #myvintagevogue <br /> #50sfashion <br /> #50sfashionmodel <br /> #harpersbazaar<br /> #harpersbazaarus <br /> #bazaaruk <br /> #vintageglamour<br /> #1950 | William Helburn | 6 | https://facebook.com/WilliamHelburn | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55480 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 2:52 PM | 1703105770 | 1745610737 | 65 | 387198293688713 | 2 | 8.7389821094686E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 157384851487469 | 0 | Joanna Rengel | 120203129112710024 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannarengel_corp | 1702669822 | 1.5738485148747E+14 | Joanna Rengel | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409713215_903004374868608_5522920007288516723_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YyT1P0r4jL4AX9s5gZV&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC7J9Xv05PR6D1W5fbx2J72pg7ScqMotdKiNDUWzbm35A&oe=6587E6B5 | person_profile | 0 | Coach Creativa & Espiritual | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411074597_1121517919259522_8093983271554060386_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=msKSdP3LBUIAX8uZmuX&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCy-cFNSciiQ2PHHkzl5Om3jo-O2qLiQKJ20jirMvoUSw&oe=65883CBB | 0 | 3 | Me convertí en mi propia evidencia de que siempre puedo elegir con miedo y no por miedo. No sabía que estaba dando ESE primer paso para mi transformación personal, y por esas decisiones que en su momento me aterrorizaron y hoy hacen todo el sentido, siento una admiración y respeto profundo hacia mi misma.<br /> <br /> ✨✨ Faltan 15 días para que termine el año, puedes verlo como un factor de estrés, o una oportunidad única para asegurarte de cerrar cómo quieres empezar. El 2024 viene potente y mágico, intenciona cómo quieres vivirlo. <br /> <br /> ✨✨ ¿Cómo quieres despertarte el 01 de enero? sientes que quieres generar cambios, quieres materializar tus sueños, quieres empezar un nuevo hábito o tomar una decisión en tu vida. En el momento que estés leyendo esto: es el día perfecto para dar el primer paso. Es momento de accionar ❤️🔥<br /> <br /> 👉🏻 Estoy abriendo cupos limitados para sesiones de coaching, mi forma de trabajar es por medio de Mentorías 1:1 o grupales, con contenidos, activaciones y ejercicios en módulos subidos a una plataforma más soporte vía chat. <br /> <br /> Del 0 al 100 es para ti si:<br /> <br /> 💘 Tus sueños son más grandes que tus miedos.<br /> 💘 Estás dispuesto a invertir en ti mismo.<br /> 💘 Tienes ganas de brillar y ganas de despertar en todo sentido.<br /> 💘 Llevas mucho tiempo posponiendo muchas cosas en tu vida y estás listx para tomar acción.<br /> 💘 Quieres generar nuevos hábitos en tu vida, desde cambiar tu alimentación, tu mentalidad, reforzar tu espiritualidad, despertar tu creatividad, mejorar la relación con el dinero y manejar tus emociones. <br /> 💘 Te sientes estancadx, frustradx y abrumadx con tanta información sin aplicar. 😮💨<br /> <br /> ✨✨ Y si sueñas con emprender y trabajar más profundo desde el amor para conectarte contigo misma te invito a registrarte en mi Marterclass gratuita aquí: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joannarengel.com%2Fregistro-entrenamiento-intensivo&h=AT3sVkoLw8mlkdh_1wpxVaOV8fggypXKGu8b2vpSNvQY_k6pZ-D90UguChhxLhcntGnTryRxrBz0mPLd8n_-iJKa3LAxsqIkZR7Bz9ODH6oB0NH84qith_ihIYLvCAoajAM-mpurMAo0-xUj8c8A6wLmlAY" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.joannarengel.com/registro-entrenamiento-intensivo</a><br /> <br /> ✨✨ Más información lo puedes ver en <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joannarengel.com%2F&h=AT0RiPuT6OxzC3AGPNJ5Eb4spgiZ0EpDfx4fDjEDxY69m7HSmY0_KfA3JQp-ArBUbWQSf-4iaPeaWdGRk2o1qvSJfj1chMNvu7Nfd9jyuembdx3eVd8S1V8SeCyCOmcdhS3ePcAaBpr6IPw2VH_ZMADedlw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.joannarengel.com</a> o escríbeme por interno. <br /> <br /> Vamos a vibrar desde el alma y a hacer que las cosas ocurran ✨✨<br /> con amor, 🫶<br /> <br /> Joa.<br /> <br /> #healthcoaching #amarseparaemprender #mentoriaonline #coachingonline #masterclass #mentoringprogram #coachingemocional | Joanna Rengel | 1142 | https://facebook.com/joannarengel | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55848 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 1:30 PM | 1703105774 | 1747247457 | 65 | 2095971757416642 | 1 | 3.8051857120923E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411375890044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702457974 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409582733_2442525799263414_6869942555820788636_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yo0W2-_pr_EAX_qGfgy&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBgtRv2FU6l9Uu-wUtjBa0YfNH7MH2Nm2v40tvHkdS93g&oe=6587A89B | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409579223_322447050705677_4860823779722476211_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q2jKdjWPb8sAX948DIF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAmmcepmTJ0xvdr2BR95Ehd-VYEQFYj3dPPi0tkbkSYSw&oe=6588D76F | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55395 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 11:05 AM | 1703105769 | 1747238717 | 65 | 214785131598929 | 1 | 7.2306194652545E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 575104275932120 | 0 | The Greatest Gift | 6506362566137 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?","response":""},{"title":"I'm interested. Can you tell me more?","response":""},{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?","response":""}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702944659 | 5.7510427593212E+14 | The Greatest Gift | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411042472_333753789451087_8751662483509496716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8PO11pEk8qAAX_ARRXw&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpAEcA7zGHXs1AB1LfTtNXy3liQsJodaQSvmIBS4bxmw&oe=6587F7BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Sunday morning worship | The Greatest Gift | 1256 | https://facebook.com/wearethegreatestgift | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56546 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/28/25, 4:33 AM | 1703105781 | 1751103207 | 65 | 337191488917550 | 1 | 3.6534574588687E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210412480123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701171822 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406222213_366614555899519_5173103408492940001_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=38tYRKvyrxIAX8pGYBj&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAHOcY2L6gzorOSatgltThFfbvQK3o8_KPaFUyqEOXIvg&oe=6587EE00 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405935624_733790891977309_2447573897378692757_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5GjklYAxnKUAX-p68Js&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDI3cHNrOkBk6rFp9mnJAWf-pDAFLzvbzr677aw7qlQdQ&oe=6587CE8D | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55782 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/22/25, 4:52 PM | 1703105773 | 1747950724 | 65 | 379780901074657 | 4 | 8.7957657712288E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411065440_366177269150715_8484231305234908678_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c7mE08ialSsAX-1sIB9&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDhjf5hkyhM4Zbvmu_Cl9TIInIeE4D4kJMDk6y3Z2iyag&oe=6588AC63 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55839 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 6:04 PM | 1703105773 | 1723676697 | 65 | 1029293008321981 | 1 | 3.7503351503685E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411471210044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458309 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409724826_904287781343709_931961613370822200_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MGIOiGqlIn0AX-AFOcX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDT1gRZM34Zvst1NzlmHjjQeQ6ztqGH2-c-Z9lfOLXhgA&oe=6588C5EC | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409809202_331708823128148_8656749818251562783_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=djSRHF42-rEAX-G32N6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDZ9H_1-D7dmd-65DJQqvUlJLuddJcs3QJ9E98Egni0aA&oe=65881E4A | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56742 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 6:10 AM | 1703105784 | 1723806624 | 65 | 1045127419865493 | 1 | 2.3071113828114E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632034420115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796753 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403621876_858167745963020_1874452396109940104_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w1sTWBuETaAAX9fW6xE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACLHZqcKhADhscuN8R2mmcVeeeCMym0NCuPEGu3gZxYQ&oe=65889CB2 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403621994_1856626994757137_818270811200196099_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pqywPzggJ28AX-KNnFj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUzFMXNbcolF-F5uPNHnA8OZ3Qzhsvz7DqifBsbB-ozg&oe=6587C143 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56309 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/4/25, 2:59 AM | 1703105779 | 1743753554 | 65 | 371547182200085 | 1 | 6.1459377404939E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458508030691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856033 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408772708_314615208083791_1474816648503752834_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OGoWtMNdQiYAX8oojOH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDlhQ87_ymkCaCT0kzzfezIGEmRGzZyoJAAbft_AXIt7w&oe=6588044B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408782820_311882395137029_4723598676321056379_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aMTOLWw7-48AX_4Zfmh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5FdCCrDGGiKkzm4YlXOYfpP5fJEjV5KExYYn_1FL2xg&oe=6587F43D | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56962 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 12:38 AM | 1703105786 | 1747287481 | 65 | 1080859619606164 | 5 | 1.4784743894358E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721418430167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679704 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404571232_367729272457304_8979649860983857110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CIzFRI5dzqcAX-OFiUn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDH4nCcCHxzK0YPogPbo3_0kBEGR45VUN98CBpFTMcBQ&oe=6588BF33 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56937 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 4:47 PM | 1703105786 | 1745617630 | 65 | 812412984017506 | 3 | 3.0928944528021E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117390571392405 | 0 | The Crafty Collective | 120201779029030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678023 | 1.1739057139240E+14 | The Crafty Collective | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404665006_3577870452454325_6287188178643273559_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TWyiCZm5GNAAX--q9K3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAC4bg9XHHj1AtLhwk6IyAe9RbcT4CZgchIJT6GnUBq7w&oe=6587511D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | The Crafty Collective | 824 | https://facebook.com/100094121992035 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55718 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 7:07 PM | 1703105772 | 1723680471 | 65 | 1383896435899261 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104330432453055 | 0 | Savvy Change | 120202889390440722 | savvydime.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.savvydime.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702469127 | 1.0433043245306E+14 | Savvy Change | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409188086_387569633699985_5651066118777395750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uJa9Zyv3_BIAX-uWD9w&_nc_oc=AQmMULalH-ge1py040vkSIziVn1imNOiYrpwg6e8ai_S6KJMpPpbueA6sL_xZlisvpk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwot0hMj5k09b3-av8shauy50sDcGPfi_uZvPe1GtDkw&oe=6588C3F4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Savvy Change | 1145 | https://facebook.com/100086447139091 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56753 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/31/25, 7:34 AM | 1703105784 | 1743424467 | 65 | 782017110169323 | 1 | 3.7935460133636E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200360108840122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700883501 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405880301_194103283768923_2043211889081886724_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LPni05XcaQIAX_hYS0Q&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCca8ZHQkj8Q5ZeM3anY-ydJrBBn7-ZEmaOvo-_EHklxg&oe=6587B2D0 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405893050_1545761599497341_8487465142295837944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_jD5_haEztUAX9El_8F&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnakBuU7NO6NtUTyKXiawIBHECE1KbX-53tonl_EeuQQ&oe=6588F866 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55417 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 12:12 AM | 1703105769 | 1747285921 | 65 | 382747797462535 | 1 | 1.0762461704739E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 202005179524 | 0 | Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co. Real Estate | 120203040578370721 | NONE | video | 1702915812 | 202005179524 | Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co. Real Estate | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412191270_1056148142292455_351017913038993197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rtpE3U3R8p0AX_IYIkK&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDesMjSwkWNuSle-5FdHLePJG7lh22DLPV0poVz-E9HaQ&oe=6588E297 | person_profile | 0 | Tammy Mitchell Hines & Company | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412268554_1076504973541496_8901515767498884825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bIsKggy4VwAX9EOvOv&_nc_oc=AQm2AJddib-6jf7I2O-hLMx-J_tWxoA0xIPpVO0hKxqNsKxd1h_6FRFsYEgUYkeg3lQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAYPJvo81zmHllU3JKbWGo31453_AyX5RLN5vDks9pUjg&oe=65887E4E | 0 | 3 | #SundayQandA Is an empty home easier to sell?<br /> <br /> We asked our Listing Agent & Selling Strategy Specialist, Jane Kolmer, Google's most frequently searched questions about selling your home. Today she gives her insight into the difference between selling your home empty vs. full.<br /> <br /> If you or someone you know is interested in selling, give Jane a call today at 618.281.HOME(4663), or visit our website at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FCallTammy.com%2F&h=AT0lntpBlHN8bIr8VDjUQvY_USNjrBvGI2cd8iEmlFt44EtnSaGmBbBapcFpm0Ajw1w_9X5bYUJAEU43KfEPmAcOYhoXItJIBeZo_tJlXWV47wdc2udpdLr4B9qOgkQCjx45377R7nHt-hd2n8WDPxFLunE" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">CallTammy.com</a>!<br /> <br /> #HomeSelling #HomeSellers #Google #QandA #CallTammy | Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co. Real Estate | 4640 | https://facebook.com/TammyMitchellHinesandCompany | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56283 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 4:44 AM | 1703105778 | 1747302260 | 65 | 895772348826353 | 2.7496543485083E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259827710 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Primavera Sound Porto | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899310 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407991154_1062304271864865_3184083713404358000_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sb_XwkmltU0AX-095pB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9q4XQk7mnPwsYhj1cFfTGY80fwyCwhquznz5ziVVaEQ&oe=65877A7B | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407690836_340810088681657_1573994539010385235_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X9UQ_WCIoHkAX-lqzAR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDC0g2RfXY_x58FmVbnjgoYFRiOkYnvKa7_Ng1n9GsfZg&oe=6587570B | 0 | 3 | Primavera Sound Porto returns to Parque da Cidade from the 6th to 8th of June 2024. Around 50 artists confirmed to celebrate the 11th edition! | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55448 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 4:45 AM | 1703105770 | 1747302322 | 65 | 3594434680883824 | 1 | 9.0398253129988E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 311639885697095 | 0 | Living Word Fellowship Church | 6535481632730 | Send message | NONE | video | December 17; 2023 | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?","response":""},{"title":"Can you tell me more about your ad?","response":""},{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?","response":""}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702870093 | 3.116398856971E+14 | Living Word Fellowship Church | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411143924_384824617248640_7393446385259419163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JCKO9q35WO0AX_Bpu5-&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmkwN7X55UGUBY2usta3nMdRox8jMjvh9zSnXEx6JVWQ&oe=6588ED8E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Living Word Fellowship Church | 534 | https://facebook.com/livingwordfellowshipmontgomery | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56830 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/4/25, 4:11 PM | 1703105784 | 1746393083 | 65 | 234833939617682 | 2 | 3.6759741574331E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207910450403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724564 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404146113_1020437555827864_5354829336121865543_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IfDOiP3cih4AX_iIQg3&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBF270dI6ibop7GXHDR6btyvr-oVXcVG71ery7qK2egpg&oe=6588B125 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404356978_241755372045666_8113531712682245329_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Up1BvSQkNeMAX9WlnWs&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBoDBug2v7Wx0qj0QnZCCP4ewDLKcbESYKkAVUpHVWYxQ&oe=658852BA | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55322 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 7:15 AM | 1703105768 | 1723810505 | 65 | 265931952831986 | 1 | 7.456501074266E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475741100743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976952 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410320211_303751068681975_254246632276277993_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y2OIAqc8KJkAX97MsPD&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAn9wUGFkcmYfyz-e5s8jX-3FtnbzFP-ch_kINjQTDrTA&oe=65875C31 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412042616_198960706624171_1590578494586669355_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aZMPiXjJxIMAX_0KUiT&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMYYfxkB80u7XEFYgWj3w0WQ_5qGsKrYDJ4PT1MFdYxg&oe=65893F4A | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56517 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/29/25, 12:10 AM | 1703105781 | 1751173850 | 65 | 345720534866863 | 3.6876741415128E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202064923820319 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250775 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405170100_1056640752352591_1403274656139393350_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jlqdc8di4HsAX9ZxFoA&_nc_oc=AQmYG9umSxQelx5ZLbsZAPfoCdDVA277RZAZDYMlOeesc8lpUrYW57tjJNrXZirci-fcweR8ZqEgsBywoY3fK0Tk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCK-Ocf0tT9CldWa1fnpYcLApqNzlU_ovUUJct02GisWg&oe=65884152 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56124 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/4/25, 3:38 AM | 1703105777 | 1743755913 | 65 | 1289577438386597 | 3 | 3.7245110544223E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753705780427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119694 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408114679_1289096975183889_2214690332243210511_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W8__HyFpsRYAX-Wa5m7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDk5GiYrWaqG5pu250pz6cS7QhYEulA5YisdF37Hqxj7A&oe=6588CEB5 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408134924_1081997149484653_3004667486309422262_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=avwmExB-dVUAX_cnkBH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFktaeYA3DEvWYphjZGNa21OEZcmD0ecV56U70vmoLEw&oe=65877782 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56326 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/29/25, 12:50 AM | 1703105779 | 1751176201 | 65 | 1695405974302978 | 1 | 8.8794610606187E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104524871533020 | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | 120201961781600382 | motivoscarcare.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Get Rid Of Your C-Section Scar For Just $25.99! | Elevate Your Skin's Renewal with Premium Scar Care Products. Discover our exclusive range of advanced solutions, specially crafted to diminish scars, nourish your skin, and restore its natural beauty. Unlock the secret to confident, scar-free skin with Motivo's premium offerings. Shop now for transf... | https://www.motivoscarcare.com/ | 1701798720 | 1.0452487153302E+14 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405467668_634544058662152_6503397506804504367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XSR1i8w1BqcAX8m4hZ0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQPnxYugdmG3WaUJuDF-vmceIe6OM54VRGHlaLj8yfTw&oe=65893500 | person_profile | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405477650_1560902998010674_5008299949655367404_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BzjdbcA6HekAX9no0xl&_nc_oc=AQm9x3BO30cJdXj7tSpJubqZk2R_vyCbbUyt0MwI6qxULJMIOWtPFRu6hdn2Sg2tkK5_Y9DGD1gYQ5hC9OzMS0m_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6mYzI2X4p0F4eERL67JXFDp_wB2Q2lRL8gYVBJoilpA&oe=6587CBBC | 0 | 3 | From the Challenges of a C-section to the Rewarding Moments of Motherhood. Motivo Scar Care understands the pain and joy that come with this unique experience. <br /> <br /> Our Premium Products are here to help heal and nurture your C-section scar. Because every scar tells a beautiful story. Choose Motivo Scar Care for a scar that reflects your strength and resilience.<br /> <br /> Start Your Healing Journey Today, Visit Us At <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motivoscarcare.com%2F&h=AT06IXhHXvbCTdstMM45X0aFgF2AZWE_54ClbWSR1hScTBIVgwVOyXAzvD97mllO-MhePxBavHHJfzYhJhrirGpLDSfOVND6X3sdtOCkUY1IcmIsydn9fHrvBsI_9JZ2DPEmpQ3kfO3E54VGmKfykHzeROqSMiBtQIgGnA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.motivoscarcare.com</a> | Motivo Scar Care | 203 | https://facebook.com/MotivoScarCare | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55826 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970747 | 65 | 738245350991978 | 3 | 2.4012363896203E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207797431150456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702461802 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409784870_1595436554606872_6472740468675180119_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UvFT0NAXMQIAX_O0EYb&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCAQTQKQTyz_u2dWN4W_leuDpupwN8aZu-oqbneqP7p2w&oe=65890338 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56121 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/4/25, 6:55 PM | 1703105777 | 1746402925 | 65 | 1613990145675551 | 3.496162150623E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753714900427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119703 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409554821_1042756336971764_6897056661856736005_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1DxVGfzxrWgAX9WG9AI&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD9g756dv4k5davV829F6kC8jjczsJ92hH9djpY5yP03g&oe=65878063 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409544823_1058519471930391_277735151274211793_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fJbJit4n-QEAX_Frobe&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAJg2qACzwS9FubD-Ix6MNeTcmekg49ETTo89k79vISLw&oe=65889BBD | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56865 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/27/24, 10:26 PM | 1703105785 | 1735360006 | 65 | 7564603510222589 | 1 | 7.1505113686868E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611858520115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722760 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403628051_2115078448830370_677364698253640913_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=apbSzQ5sYUEAX9JEq0A&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAn3J_eOz6XsxXUNRf5dOtX5q6c_yrZC0PpR_GeU9bpPw&oe=65877305 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403612752_257487814001209_7415754233687683462_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_yYaIyqOfX4AX83qF2k&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAWINWLWGCM98I3HKUGx7kUZG9CIt5EGj3IA2v-Mg2lig&oe=65878425 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56289 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/6/25, 9:18 PM | 1703105778 | 1741317534 | 65 | 348714817764749 | 2 | 6.3822013824974E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113840200491489 | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 6535548936103 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | https://www.instagram.com/_u/dearjoannaa | 1701899033 | 1.1384020049149E+14 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | person_profile | 0 | joanna tam | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408499236_371973898573237_1499763492600044361_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9b8u6AmpZiQAX9q7SxA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAfq26wcalhYUIWpsRfHlpgA1d_egwlESzEho51Aj0Arw&oe=6587D0BD | 0 | 3 | pretty dresses + tea parties 🫖 @houseofcb | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 0 | https://facebook.com/100080768289817 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56774 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/13/24, 3:48 PM | 1703105784 | 1734126481 | 65 | 657071319895593 | 2 | 2.5285951779224E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220441420404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582686 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404871078_1031287584756553_4711576206374538190_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pgcqxLfvad8AX-QCaGc&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBrC845ApVN8Gkynh8j-yNIW3PsyGyGGfkDWzo9kFry5w&oe=6588F0B6 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404289445_669322565024692_4994854594698686890_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s7_Gvi1ze2AAX-sKqbA&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6Z4EdFQHyf9-UxG9JMIT47WIzGoRv0DclH-P8_w3uuA&oe=6588DBC0 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56739 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 7:28 PM | 1703105783 | 1723681708 | 65 | 997282228005196 | 1 | 3.6381848288272E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632258530115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796806 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405096353_1372366570033229_3000603061354305351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-VCJ8iSVJtkAX90ZWD9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDaDM1r_QOlyEv5upnjG6eC9DJCp5q0kXBqpXR4Wek9hQ&oe=6587DB22 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405741254_1350536505631051_4463538957422243292_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W9PdE51Myt0AX9zeD_Y&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCgcPZ17bd3-T_NSbceiGcOQYF_0iJ7gtL2o27Zdx3iGA&oe=65881E5A | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56173 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/7/25, 6:41 AM | 1703105777 | 1749296490 | 65 | 328445586706174 | 3 | 1.7739747544135E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672581210427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030389 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406405837_2375148522669633_1373910159565133470_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fSaU_K_Hm9QAX_eicAC&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDal81GZjwczBCDS1TACSecfTg8OvsVhQhNOjbUoPeZeg&oe=65894115 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406836407_1441672023448937_7208212608956794912_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ol9NKQgAJdcAX-A0cAX&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAbILxdHmDd8Js6WeXpa5SHQMZcCyChdMpiatLTRbGQKA&oe=65889125 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56136 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 8:05 AM | 1703105777 | 1723813514 | 65 | 655557260104151 | 1 | 3.5430317718973E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155250140476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094446 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406752439_1004280260668208_463139558526135138_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ptKmTKjVmH4AX_PurCo&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDf9boce9KBDrJ_5SE48XfyQNkdGXXa-BE5LXm8PqVB7Q&oe=65889C1C | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406770021_1354256091876004_4006224274041790876_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mFcQ2ZHG97oAX9Ph0uq&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBxfHpMprwkbd141pF99wj0tkyGJ_MFvKxcocS7vNgdOA&oe=65879606 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56605 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 7:46 AM | 1703105782 | 1723812379 | 65 | 2690382654451550 | 2 | 8.8272357971301E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715935510115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140269 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405959516_1435436637038746_2673582665075316189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gh59w0K80SsAX8Uyet3&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAgUw4ZM6sRFgjUd4ET9OBMMeW6torMa8_zsAzk3u50rg&oe=6588ED1A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405993409_726036758989035_779313309965309849_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sJCgY8p_8SgAX_oINTH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCdtZjr3yMog1j58I3-bURE3RduswYt4RHTr_cTbBGo-g&oe=65890FA3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55735 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/4/25, 10:23 PM | 1703105772 | 1746415423 | 65 | 239126399198061 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1625774737527434 | 0 | USWalldecor.com | 120202334047760671 | uswalldecor.com/magnolia | Shop now | 273 | NONE | dpa | {{product.name}} | https://uswalldecor.com/collections/magnolia-home-wallcoverings-by-joanna-gaines | 1702501643 | 1.6257747375274E+15 | USWalldecor.com | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409891223_734710688099639_8872831097472283121_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WcVHspPdo1oAX_Xyrox&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDaiqPxrH8s0uCcSoi1JdNDhf-l09O5_CnuwSpdI32XZA&oe=6587EB54 | person_profile | 0 | US Wall Decor | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409792084_1586570598547583_2965003070951968724_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z-Mpli9kfrsAX9TSjjV&_nc_oc=AQnxEPqTrCJNzDNPtCZ3uxzHCMI9ZhVukxJ-lqvP5xRG4CYKy0QF768SSoYQVfDp72s&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDTx_bo1bpAyWiIBxRTlOJrzMdPhNf8dsvfO_nwvYZqwQ&oe=65892491 | 0 | 3 | Choose from 250+ unique Magnolia Home wallpapers designed by Joanna Gaines and thousands more designer wallpapers at US Wall Decor | USWalldecor.com | 4201 | https://facebook.com/uswalldecor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55880 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/13/24, 4:07 PM | 1703105774 | 1734127679 | 65 | 808870464341279 | 3 | 1.040888780364E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120203363476210682 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702450949 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409971421_922449786104125_8849589439186722054_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=knkQp-v_hdIAX8n0DfE&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfASCgaI4__Xxb3BH_IZ3mOy86_PucW9XrVKb-nTkinTZw&oe=65886EF7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55523 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/9/25, 12:24 PM | 1703105770 | 1741541075 | 65 | 2630238743797812 | 1 | 1.8365153144101E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765836770465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702333 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411152746_399099645774447_4710114145492107724_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bsjATqnIHt8AX9N62ju&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC4-0AVYF7OgoJ837cdsrO3D6CoBhQxVqUIEk4KsAVWHg&oe=65889FAF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411114262_1061934248222528_6916316336255880542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bXVJciTWVj0AX8Aiskm&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDzPl5JUn3YDRjmfkX8n8OAS_9qzGgELRwZlapXN1p4jA&oe=6587BF37 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56039 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/18/24, 8:04 PM | 1703105776 | 1724029449 | 65 | 1080968529569995 | 1 | 8.7742052051812E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498243490278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287841 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409590932_680876223856737_6891577313830768961_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-asWXQagLtYAX9Ag6su&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQuBia4NzaLx-THunfVuq-nrwG-V68OGu2ISnmWXryfw&oe=6588D631 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409575370_243542821912464_5041672640023177546_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U-jZpUszuBwAX9HCguQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCrDrrSgG6SBO_IJecri_iftovtJZqsJH1RzUw5wzBJgQ&oe=65887E4E | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55928 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/4/25, 8:05 AM | 1703105775 | 1735999560 | 65 | 1849088218880190 | 1 | 7.35263915185E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110687163802777 | 0 | Alta Climbing | 120203094622420275 | altaclimbing.com | Learn more | NONE | image | New Year's Workshop | https://altaclimbing.com/gilbert/yoga-classes/ | 1702412365 | 1.1068716380278E+14 | Alta Climbing | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410709564_353717327307184_2057391039091742876_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ml5QNGtMA1AAX_cHQP_&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDSPUUALy4UC5u4qJwk4napR6qih92ACafFqG8D_WtAVQ&oe=65884EEE | person_profile | 0 | Alta Climbing | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410701617_1089592302182392_8641558206926959029_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e-AAMXnQicsAX9O7S2E&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCgZE7l0dniYMgop3VwxzRT335jky8BikQZgbcRoy-eaA&oe=658825F2 | 0 | 3 | Embrace the Power of Change at Our New Year’s Manifestation Meditation and Intention Setting Workshop!🧘♀️<br /> <br /> 📅 Date: Saturday, December 30th<br /> 🕘 Time: 9:15 AM - 10:45 AM<br /> <br /> Step into the New Year with purpose and positivity! Join Joanna for a transformative 90-minute workshop featuring New Year’s manifestation meditation, gentle yoga, Reiki healing, and the enchanting sounds of crystal singing bowls.<br /> In this immersive experience, we'll guide you through a journey of self-discovery and renewal, allowing you to release the remnants of the past year and pave the way for a joyous and fulfilling future. 🌌✨<br /> <br /> What to Expect:<br /> 🧘♀️ Gentle Yoga to Align Body and Mind<br /> 🔮 Reiki Healing for Deep Energy Cleansing<br /> 🎶 Crystal Singing Bowls for Serene Relaxation<br /> 🌌 Guided Meditation for Manifestation<br /> <br /> As we bid farewell to the challenges of the past, let's harness that energy to shape a brighter tomorrow. Bring your intentions, dreams, and an open heart as we embark on this soul-nourishing journey together.<br /> <br /> Limited spots available, so secure your place now for a New Year’s celebration that goes beyond the ordinary. Let's set our intentions and welcome 2024 with a renewed spirit and positive energy! 🌟🎉 <br /> #NewYearManifestation #IntentionsWorkshop #RenewAndTransform #AltaClimbing #yogaclass | Alta Climbing | 5796 | https://facebook.com/altaclimbing | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56810 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 12:33 PM | 1703105784 | 1747330418 | 65 | 1117596699619468 | 3 | 3.6750709584826E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632039020115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796620 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404960245_884028946225851_1805989380963901726_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oNhWsne5O3QAX_7MF6L&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBwib28TJFWq50qva6euqTsq2wJqCMgTnD2F0zZT_aWQA&oe=6588C75E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405017271_754881956462034_2687350278007289619_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jgzGfe5n8isAX9-A7rU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfiMj65KfSRcCm9LnchNGXZolpAmbTP2O4-MCNjWQ4kA&oe=65874A67 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55662 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/25/24, 12:40 AM | 1703105772 | 1724564419 | 65 | 799530945309689 | 1 | 3.2187619350937E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112243818028359 | 0 | Niko Stories | 120202962070080340 | parentztalk.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers: The Hidden Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://parentztalk.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-ua/ | 1702585365 | 1.1224381802836E+14 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411095759_7717825011566919_7675347502701525175_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SLS6dwxd9wcAX_i_3DB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDc3Cc6PnVsVswe5OyLFwexUdNByhnVgax_QOeqgzbLUw&oe=65887AA6 | person_profile | 0 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411173847_228582996964489_5758574685011626980_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0C3ttXun3eAAX_EeDVq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDGheZ6EdFy94SVhhs7FgutmftFtf-sO5Ps89j03IJ9BA&oe=658798F0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Niko Stories | 21 | https://facebook.com/100079533857132 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55267 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 8:37 AM | 1703105768 | 1747316278 | 65 | 1742735252820931 | 1.2010030673455E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203672816530183 | No button | NONE | video | My Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipe! | 1702946260 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412018134_1497137224469191_1166355988186981212_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k7tr-EIroAIAX8Qtk_U&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-Pd2IIG90VaBAAb5u-OzAes4u4r6sR0sGn8qqPSWgQQ&oe=6588BD90 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | My favorite recipe for Christmas cookies! First, gather all of the ingredients. Second, take a cute picture for social media.<br /> <br /> Finally (and this is the most important step), go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesweetboutiquebakery">The Sweet Boutique Bakery</a> here in Sugar Land and buy as many of their cookies as you can. Give them to friends and family, and they'll think you baked them! Win-win. Merry Christmas everyone 😉<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55342 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 3:06 PM | 1703105769 | 1747339590 | 65 | 668583662103253 | 11 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX8ps1pP&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3KKwuRn71LDkEQAJVb4-iZp0QKT8nxMgxt-xVSMmT4w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55572 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/24/24, 12:29 PM | 1703105771 | 1732472998 | 65 | 381465321056660 | 2 | 8.9130955916893E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748020506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636971 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411480235_672388051631386_8813377203693408339_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gz7JJnqHLXkAX81Cg3p&_nc_oc=AQnQitjYU41P-5yIRtKYNB92wcsQtuTXy2LpY-aUszCNOASWq_Te73FtiegQQBnHW5o&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAs9_HiVmlW4hyxGBUqPP1m_mknG488k6SSbKy8MKSr3g&oe=6587A54F | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410122293_870156414561373_7803393444665979625_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3yajBtMSPEEAX_rj6hZ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0vjgZyhIYsZzBy_irtlVzF3w_GR6ss0hRUvQUv33XoQ&oe=65883DD8 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56086 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 7:15 PM | 1703105776 | 1723767343 | 65 | 317606451165536 | 1 | 1.1513345891712E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204866558330427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702207772 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409748320_2204466763226667_1939289182786497497_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c0HJJiK1mcAAX_2l9_Y&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUwSCz6kx5xXLb2tK7lLj9A6KU3xDqfDtGJnOZIrRQag&oe=6589223B | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409673227_1261065717895207_6471331968382325527_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n8vZQQIAK90AX9bbK88&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAl6GYnM0tXtCxKW34RTSA9AMPO9pQEU1b3pkJpm3BzyA&oe=6587D723 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56005 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/14/24, 12:06 AM | 1703105775 | 1734156369 | 65 | 194469100412138 | 1 | 3.4545392215427E+15 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120201433132870328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 2 Beds 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1030348568249463/ | 1702325308 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406848365_3229071960720213_2784127829801271561_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8bXPLLRj3P4AX-zGouh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxtsHN9FfanV89pcfK5NS-x0dVvuks0eHV8ow-rfJG5g&oe=658799B2 | 0 | 3 | 2 Beds 1 Bath - Apartment - $845.00<br /> <br /> "Newly updated 2BR/1BA apartment available now! Features include large bedrooms, private balcony, spacious closets, and secured parking. Conveniently located to restaurants and shopping. <br /> Monthly rent: $845. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!"<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56133 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 5:17 PM | 1703105777 | 1747347441 | 65 | 368383365865552 | 1 | 2.6649183309576E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155275790476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094693 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409054523_1119944696046852_5113317945279334999_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=91rYYwE7bqwAX9OGb3P&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCvlXSp44fth4fEE7WKuJVmyMTarhuRZqVjpfUvE0K9aw&oe=65884709 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409057522_194780613714102_1594678573136791628_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fOTVwxX5LakAX-tDwIb&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBeocvp1vDPLCrqLazZukyY4bUWlqV3RnNSkm1uoL1Pzg&oe=65886694 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56916 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/14/24, 12:22 PM | 1703105785 | 1734200577 | 65 | 382305610898116 | 1 | 1.0620829385735E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102865022224801 | 0 | Tell All Know All | 120200721466810167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679791 | 1.028650222248E+14 | Tell All Know All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762291_1473273089884334_200510394569536447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=myoXacbeIywAX9F0xi-&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPKE0VUFFA6GLSDz7FUUosTrj2f6a4MduBIZf2DcoEEw&oe=65890CC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Tell All Know All | 330 | https://facebook.com/100076181432751 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56543 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/14/24, 10:01 AM | 1703105781 | 1734192086 | 65 | 903489667445549 | 1 | 7.3552317712062E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1475955555853049 | 0 | Allpa Botanicals | 120202273837660541 | AllpaBotanicals.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Rosemary Hair Oil | https://allpabotanicals.com/pages/rosemary-hair-oil-for-hair-loss-in-women-over-50 | 1701205911 | 1.475955555853E+15 | Allpa Botanicals | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405836938_1115994846038147_4886416418972025793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HphQIPLASeQAX-VqYrA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBjJ5ViEuwC-QevWyOO_ewguwXPq59vAQOYg1bNVfQnFA&oe=658884A6 | person_profile | 0 | Allpa Botanicals | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406099109_1087745985732609_4800458861947967813_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ybAX8VDvcBEAX-BgVPv&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLWoj4EZyjOYR6Z-qLaGRxM-EbvlCJEWvNNbGaH9lBQg&oe=65886256 | 0 | 3 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Trusted by over 70,000 women.<br /> <br /> Start your natural hair journey today! 👉 | Allpa Botanicals | 2421 | https://facebook.com/AllpaBotanicals | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56442 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/18/24, 10:22 PM | 1703105780 | 1724037776 | 65 | 321549877474293 | 1 | 9.4237456745308E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200728632240540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701403123 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407236711_1039768480576896_6609796942476767848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I5eYH-zI24cAX90W_yn&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgUMgRUF4g_8V7hgZjMzLFPOVwJQZXtdrdkqnDZn59mw&oe=65880A6D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407233853_1391823278349491_5556265542500911826_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z5lXZiaaauQAX-uAcLI&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAERQfF78VnvnRTEKJ3EW0ATGfTZyUJUs50s5RN5c_fQg&oe=6587D7B3 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56727 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/11/24, 5:33 PM | 1703105783 | 1723415601 | 65 | 317246834579696 | 1 | 3.5896157879875E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632007030115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796585 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405067045_252757750822936_7699805384117218565_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ohqcmJWQmmgAX_A2srx&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6hcUzkDoidwFkd-KNQMcXLwFOetzTVkizFabl01rnYg&oe=6587A905 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405089254_1798641297235514_8095599690766653630_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sOtry5KyhXgAX9KhMLq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAZWzsiPv5n1s42aPOLe6H773OkC8YsEAQohOSNVNsUIg&oe=65876D68 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56264 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105778 | 1745623302 | 65 | 1054823599164308 | 1 | 2.8112290823522E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997276630476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940690 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407633698_863761565384262_7792054030890944185_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sPefGq2Yh04AX_3fymc&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDI6ntMmqfIw6Hbyc-JOWtsXh1o2mMhMM18EeFsG9a8Q&oe=65877ECC | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408023104_263444633403084_2783997300525428385_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FKVQPamCMC0AX-NlruE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBjkXysNd_mU6q544yY8-YOfp5pXG41kvzQa2KVjPO5pw&oe=6587D61F | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56841 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 12:01 AM | 1703105785 | 1747371697 | 65 | 662070472745710 | 2 | 8.813229635929E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207906930403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724563 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404677746_760192555920811_5393937298751720542_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o3AnmonZUNIAX-IcV8F&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBgwokyaxB9ZiOKhpVoxqSjCV1Gk-R2-OohB3-ZDc9Q_A&oe=65887426 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404800086_724246329129268_7102059621555474641_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hE8_1mVSyWwAX9xLnvb&_nc_oc=AQmDugkSXGORyoFOqlCke2vdqpzI9Mwaff-jkGPhFPE8rkF1x-n0qZZF4fSCsf3OUQs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCrAEKGlKJGmb9t8K777PFi2ZCOpcpRHDpNGMEhWZC26A&oe=65881F71 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55726 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/14/24, 12:34 PM | 1703105772 | 1734201275 | 65 | 902626484583487 | 1 | 1.3827573356715E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1062991483741411 | 0 | Function 101 | 6534363867330 | function101.com | Order now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://function101.com/pages/button-remote-for-apple-tv-landing-page | 1702534560 | 1.0629914837414E+15 | Function 101 | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411198203_1066236854792036_8992360199001787206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ze_1YFrvVncAX_4aBWZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnRfVD_ocVxG5D09BhyR79gyTiXn2Pa9yydoCtkrAoAw&oe=65885F99 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Function 101 | 1337 | https://facebook.com/function101 | 0 | ORDER_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56450 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/14/24, 4:17 PM | 1703105780 | 1734214650 | 65 | 1507318433445623 | 1 | 3.9625316939498E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113840200491489 | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 6503411382103 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | https://www.instagram.com/_u/dearjoannaa | 1701378357 | 1.1384020049149E+14 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | person_profile | 0 | joanna tam | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406649218_714028910359040_8306845830124248671_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ox9JClK_CRcAX8MrrpT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3TU_LkL7HUJKJhjEHVReIv-boIQsGJ9cKN66qhPOa7A&oe=658912E0 | 0 | 3 | adding every color of this sweatshirt to my wishlist 🩵<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> outfit details linked in bio! | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 0 | https://facebook.com/100080768289817 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55582 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/20/25, 4:47 PM | 1703105771 | 1750456034 | 65 | 813024713963636 | 1 | 7.1468274395631E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011735450506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636889 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409865991_1770508210077374_4264019608183675793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4G-AkMO61tQAX_eOuP5&_nc_oc=AQkxYRf5pnHJyzTeLPQxMgQ4Z9QcJi_m5YecV5mP50spCclx1UefAMqOqNOlTs28eZ4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB4Kmf4jg9SMS3G3B0W2x3nfsEgQoIx-6qgpALGiUhlbg&oe=6587D4B2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409814718_345288548117633_2575290461318689281_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fT0F3ELvrugAX9CcPhX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAXWZ_gQggMVjIG21vgncbWPAUjCknRsezlJrIkjcUq_Q&oe=6588491B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55453 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 11:14 PM | 1703105770 | 1747368873 | 65 | 869853351284922 | 2.0712646832072E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201983927360452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702864281 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412312042_1581909142619462_4353899382226679806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=38z5_xll2o4AX_9d5iK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA_S8hnMEaaweC7dLACNn_9zM9I29u9hSdl_JcURwDHPQ&oe=658766B1 | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412352283_1067245151292803_3719203602251358760_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GhKjIMN6yhQAX_K5dAI&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDRPQrvQwmK4KjAS0g9kWrX-p2XRpfBASPVnnGAVUsNug&oe=6588C2B2 | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT2bMzn6hKJKvx_7ZPf3puXc64DLKNjfZ2AMLq7RcqERrJWKk-UwiBYOSlihH07y5PR9LfvWdomLEesSWia_UCOIRw-zIvrvxPMOwwkDIUse29QRLY3QP6K7F4Rz5Hpou1yFBzdIcjFxVcAzC6_yl2Ysk3Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55531 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 6:03 AM | 1703105770 | 1746442999 | 65 | 368199612410055 | 1 | 2.6454794889356E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 146487481057 | 0 | Vampire Weekend | 6502478287289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702671282 | 146487481057 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410643303_1431220430766918_3036480141410729741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MwO1LyXiMTAAX87c3FA&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCpc5dLsFpnrsLpKsd6ZrY6Y2LKRLaKo1dYHPL1F4ipJg&oe=6588F818 | person_profile | 0 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409814235_338126342290058_8801534768614073462_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=12IsE89ouGgAX-Md7Se&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAvFXpz-Gg-tasqD0CgMDvNEn4E19HszkP1fpdsWulmYQ&oe=65882056 | 0 | 3 | Vampire Weekend | 1967275 | https://facebook.com/VampireWeekend | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56657 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 9:46 PM | 1703105783 | 1747363568 | 65 | 1074989050326433 | 1 | 8.344264317976E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690783140115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056096 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406015971_657467629872336_5023187371836312871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EbDY4-VbGzYAX9d1TXn&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYzn1aMdGYlPYrq9EZaKEDZJYmNeng-Poa4_idBl-6lA&oe=65887A9C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406011472_763946985649099_7423085315741799789_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JXInnuq7IYcAX-Uw7QM&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2qvTkCVxeNvPpEJusoedC-g3AnVGCUxkAlcfd7eKLvA&oe=65885D70 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56845 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 9:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1747364369 | 65 | 740726018114437 | 2 | 1.4596353512751E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207902150403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724560 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402666368_899900074439346_5559456302418050672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QZ3y-xCxs8IAX-2OOF6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAS7TEa8LWjW6Ea1pKhYlbqnLqnLB8NiM5bk4-10bpntg&oe=65883462 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405072822_1567526707389326_6712886024159211092_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uFDKISEGvWMAX8hHm9Z&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDGnj-VDXao98AmP4Z2UvFjZ25T-t0v6IrKphCcnAio1w&oe=6587ADE5 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55917 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 10:14 PM | 1703105774 | 1747365277 | 65 | 1005655657169487 | 3.5401332059324E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 628160127204842 | 0 | Current Joys | 6500421224489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | https://www.kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702081338 | 6.2816012720484E+14 | Current Joys | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409036031_194336887079269_3308464795753370256_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RewAoMuqdM4AX-lGy35&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDdNRa6HVv2Q6NUMEM-Sq3UE0dNtxByb1o6-6rGXYXPNQ&oe=6588C061 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024!<br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT34cObVgwY1412SixWAc2HMhnIOcfTjuUuL5qOSzxNBcNAA0iH5l92rn00ofycFAcAvKjI76GRn6eNEJpEDR3c8Uf8kcHAMX90JHAMR4iJQriIND_XQQYojL_E1Atw4WYjowLWsFe2gSsg2NUvK_8rR7onHRqzPxJizmQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Current Joys | 34308 | https://facebook.com/currentjoys | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56372 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 6:20 AM | 1703105779 | 1746444056 | 65 | 1339486893361271 | 4 | 1.4290925879512E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202285905610275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667620 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407749013_206486389099737_1092377589640782144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1mYaH9OxRwcAX81XP3S&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVLgwnNR3R7GRTrQgtH0-BlXUNGSg17IVJo1YcehoIZQ&oe=6588125D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55497 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/31/25, 12:18 PM | 1703105770 | 1743441530 | 65 | 2121460308189488 | 1 | 3.0375476928628E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 161299897061623 | 0 | Joanna Sawyer | 120201837875710048 | Call Now | NONE | image | Call me, honey👉 | U will get!Best massage ever in your entire life，beautiful young lady!speak English well CALL ME NOW | 1700981987 | 1.6129989706162E+14 | Joanna Sawyer | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403894597_1025578288654434_599059287397375188_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pfF1Q3RZy78AX_n6HCS&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClktOudlvxurXt89t-PVXC3gbRiqPm1Pnihuev9uZ33A&oe=6587E849 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Sawyer | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405749803_1045989379983056_6504770343898088376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8EvjpxmElR8AX867mE3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBERgBI7uPqtoiZBJ7VAR3upuYea1crluRaMLizTU5LPg&oe=65884374 | 0 | 3 | ❤️Don't be alone! 🌞🌞Enjoy your best time! Promise you won't be disappointed!💋 | Joanna Sawyer | 24 | https://facebook.com/61552763458518 | 0 | CALL_NOW | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56215 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/12/24, 8:54 PM | 1703105778 | 1723514066 | 65 | 3083374521797135 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074059100476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015928 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409120564_583126687291171_4421596376010933811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wZIHjkLPE4UAX_ui6YH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJAGlurW76zzmb28JthWg5ANvbADw44AH3TO5I5LKMGg&oe=6587A65D | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408031436_647712920639131_4237475343539725371_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KQMJUO8tazcAX-5Gtoa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCK8BNLKynIdHaB2hHZCbUNDjh9RdNTQ6ZmLpoOWIYbfg&oe=65883930 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56062 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/25/24, 3:57 AM | 1703105776 | 1724576249 | 65 | 3440112969467471 | 2 | 7.3060463228822E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974498590427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287495 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409617596_398807652470363_7174206782008383566_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FS4968xLSVIAX_fSHuo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBBzBfM8O6-GcKYanN9hL2VwKUDcL2ZM-Rysdbi1oFY9w&oe=6587DC7F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410078481_675534401429200_6703120422649474217_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fd4M09EwpRIAX_MUNrH&_nc_oc=AQlfpO1jQV5rYKej0WaMmZ_2L5PMVsoeVuasurhunsI87PCxLV3rqdhr1-RtW8z7luiUql5jDgvvZ1ed-WQanveH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3_UZKmIpEpebSyERVeKyu2hdDds_uVZwndD4My2AUqQ&oe=65884BC8 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56447 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/26/25, 12:56 AM | 1703105780 | 1740552964 | 65 | 1064170748266906 | 2 | 1.2652095641785E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100159009599298 | 0 | Sexton & Moody, P.C. | 23861320947710538 | sextonandmoody.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Contact Us Today! | 770-474-5646 or click to learn more | https://sextonandmoody.com/ | 1696989898 | 1.001590095993E+14 | Sexton & Moody, P.C. | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387052507_6697739987008162_4923117336605618835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R-J6WrqMMUMAX_WfF_r&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAnC91KpBgO_av1nGCU0qgL9GHOAN8erqbJQP59TJ_Eiw&oe=65882E47 | person_profile | 0 | Sexton & Moody, P.C. | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387787743_644393607678923_5776026910997426944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jCG-SvZ0VFAAX849xFU&_nc_oc=AQmaQ-glB1mSFOZcRou_EejdI1BYeUlLrXmj-aGfOLfblLfw-VxCzrWylslPuezjSFgdVjuyc4UAW_wXVnv6_hOi&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAD31ZMpF1_KAW3wHnCIH1Imumh74pUJVkteziHsGFdEw&oe=6588BDB8 | 0 | 3 | Sexton & Moody, P.C. creates a legal strategy for you. We are trial lawyers. We are not afraid of trying your case, and we have decades of experience in using those trial skills. | Sexton & Moody, P.C. | 257 | https://facebook.com/sextonandmoody | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56829 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/26/25, 8:32 AM | 1703105784 | 1740580335 | 65 | 1016471599577781 | 4 | 1.4494994856136E+15 | 1701072000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 182068528313229 | 0 | 62.mgifts | 120201031116160721 | mgifts.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D6 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1700731963 | 1.8206852831323E+14 | 62.mgifts | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403716203_1499743317531365_8231796020274393433_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uPgs6Sc-TXEAX9iLxuo&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCho18IQgiWJBSIbze13OJfmu4zttK7dCWsZ_hvXO8lbQ&oe=6587DED8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Get yours here : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fjoanna-things-d6&h=AT3yO6VspJYr1gRbkKEGRGsKDBeX4XXe0mF03Wb_n_HlclKRNJFBccRRbD0BkikS2gpz7yEEndzmnu9hxHsxeeh0JiJn7wyBvYJntcxxlFw3gIanB1_D5wQTpUJK1Uzl6AAsogKzbqWZvh_a-mPS96YoN-8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6</a> . Visit store : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0asRyLj2JoPRS2mGVspjIOk0QTIll_0NC6WM_IeHj65z5LUM-0G3JfuYqZTlQslxnkq8vFR93vxlBD_JS2wUQZSIQTeNIUl5VDa3tjaJ_-g701wTQOCouNLH9wcDtJqqw0Kp-R7iJ-FGJegFArNv-4nbU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/collection/joanna</a> | 62.mgifts | 9 | https://facebook.com/61553723751525 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55399 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/26/25, 3:13 AM | 1703105769 | 1740561199 | 65 | 2703179686487205 | 1 | 2.7552790216652E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102198276233048 | 0 | R&G Boutique | 6577695465218 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?","response":""},{"title":"Can you tell me more about your ad?","response":""},{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?","response":""}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702940193 | 1.0219827623305E+14 | R&G Boutique | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411411458_2524619987711682_4075158523053198238_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eFsavuZleNQAX-XwAe0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSNxiOfq68pPIcILGRfdWsRy0bSXcXqRaM_WWp5VLb0w&oe=6588D11D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Location Tennessee <br /> ‼️NEW SHOPPERS! Please follow and message Me prior to buying. Thank you! ☺️‼️<br /> <br /> “MINE MEANS SOLD”<br /> Follow Seller Screen first <br /> <br /> FORM OF PAYMENT 👌🏼<br /> -Zelle<br /> -Venmo<br /> -CashApp<br /> -Paypal<br /> <br /> NO PM/DM, NO ITEM<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER: I hereby declare that I do not own the rights to this music/song. All rights belong to the owner. No Copyright Infringement Intended | R&G Boutique | 1439 | https://facebook.com/100092178056331 | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55430 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/15/24, 12:36 AM | 1703105769 | 1734244597 | 65 | 886160946551517 | 3.8225503758371E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534470948573 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898262 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410674343_1744734729365121_8330630127109463705_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b_t9y2Kh9_YAX_y5rvl&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDH5VGSETOj8tHkmXrBaU58vWvGrl-nQ65cr6XpRl23gQ&oe=6588CD3A | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410662821_822311716250658_5754943864370093328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oZSvwiPemskAX9fZMKf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBH9VjyYetcH0TB1MBIFdBhBbEqMTqQ2YH80CiNypOAgg&oe=65886561 | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT2RA3iUwA4jTA9odFjghb1b8SVjx-NnIqQBf0UF_kZfT25Bs56sL2oJ34ch09hleeUAU4oL3vLSQEcsxUwC-MUQMVlsONOnpIFt8KspV-ENH6B4SpEcaxf2kjgbP6gDwNVhGmgQiKiPhqe9pIYN7dydvpw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT2A9H046vHIH-bqFXwvpuVWuagHqCUl1VFN8e0yytkrsetwBnEUYkT2KcWW89GuHvl8imk9hagWjpKj7vjeEpDmOXgNfkLmGAWUmGQqR3F1CG0vkyT_3oAyRZW9zzfGb6znV8_1JBWNxFO2Po8Wvxo7Se8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT0FwgdupS6AjLHmC6DCcrsNG7r1upHxHDrPIlOAxAGba2WVMNsgji0UicghGzxdQ6zgtudM5e_Y3BEdcdy8VvC1WEbtVJONc3wVdDhhmkhirCnLnTf5-h04ObZAErzj24t6pxU9SIlnU-aJ8PO8r1LecsU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55525 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 6:09 AM | 1703105770 | 1747393776 | 65 | 365837896030969 | 1 | 8.8905003283932E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 181611515251850 | 0 | Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance | 6516732650392 | School Performance After Epilepsy Surgery: Understanding Working Memory and Cognitive Load | INTERESTED | NONE | event | School Performance After Epilepsy Surgery: Understanding Working Memory and Cognitive Load | Many children face challenges at school after epilepsy surgery. They may have difficulty making or maintaining academic progress for various reasons. This Power Hour will discuss the concept of cognitive load and offer perspectives on how it can help you and your child’s team understand how they learn, both at home and at school. We will learn about working memory and its relationship to reading, oral language, math skills, and other academic areas. Suggestions for advocacy and accommodations that can be integrated into the IEP process and in direct discussions with teachers and other educators will be provided. ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Amy Maguire is a speech language pathologist who works in the Department of Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. She is also a researcher at the MGH Institute of Health Profession’s (IHP) Rehabilitation Sciences program in the Brain, Education, and Mind (BEAM) lab, directed by Dr. Joanna Christodoulou. Amy’s research and clinical interests fall at the intersection of speech language pathology and neurosurgery, and she is passionate about understanding and advocating for the best possible neurocognitive outcomes in adults and children undergoing neurosurgery. While her expertise is focused on language and literacy, her clinical experience extends across other academic skills areas, including math and executive function skills. REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/3tgMoZ1 | https://www.facebook.com/events/573320658309028/ | 1702684541 | 1.8161151525185E+14 | Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411285912_3139674519674883_3489776012242153803_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wAc8zWNkDB0AX9I9-vi&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCVeMlVwSotN10QtSVa9rGP7JpN62AB75G12mYzP0wCHw&oe=65880A74 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Many children face challenges at school after epilepsy surgery. This important session will shed light on the unique hurdles your child may encounter on their educational journey. Here’s what you’ll discover:<br /> <br /> ✅ The concept of cognitive load and its impact on learning;<br /> <br /> ✅ How cognitive load affects your child’s ability to process information in various academic areas like reading, oral language, and math skills;<br /> <br /> ✅ Insights into working memory and its crucial role in learning.<br /> <br /> REGISTER HERE: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3tgMoZ1&h=AT127BHxZwfB81TuktA7L1CqHF-nDVBNywTYoxq4Dqy-BZX_XIUwbdSC76c4EqTKVFif_ogd5qXcJijbyr3vhx963Aj7fCTCDZwGdOmcH27u-SthMoLSGSQXoE6n4kEk6J0wxrSDX3oX9ofY_johFw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3tgMoZ1</a> | Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance | 4288 | https://facebook.com/PESAlliance | 0 | EVENT_RSVP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56079 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 7:25 AM | 1703105776 | 1746447912 | 65 | 281530841060227 | 1 | 9.0002879505133E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1598210863727191 | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 6517369214112 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapilarczyk | 1702226478 | 1.5982108637272E+15 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408772192_267195189342268_8212370749743684102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t4peOsCdFjsAX8ACrKo&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHxqZfjhoika9OsS5BjvkqN7VgAD0N1WAdJsmrOXzG4w&oe=65880194 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408768291_1128600394792355_4206297952672233817_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NfP-NXlpZaEAX8LkKb_&_nc_oc=AQk_BR88PNIeyMEuVy_Z-IzXthw69izW44xBodyiRI1TF4tC-BYa7th10zz6xZj8pUQ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCGUiSWmzIEasqEXu11FYQOXPWuUw34wOg8kmDPYUT3Vg&oe=658849DE | 0 | 3 | I am thrilled to have the painting ’My Brazil’ selected as the winner in the @boynesartistaward in November 2023:) <br /> It’s my second Prize received from Chantal Boynes, as I won exactly a year ago with the painting ’Serene’. <br /> Both paintings are special to me. They portray my friend Renato and his partner Alex. <br /> The theme of November’s competition was Unity in Diversity. <br /> Congratulations to Laurin and Alexandra who also won the Boynes Monthly Art Award. <br /> <br /> #MonthlyArtAward #artisticexcellence #winners #boynesmonthlyartaward #winnerpainting #artistachivement #contemporaryart #Polishfigurativeartist #modernrealismart #polishartist | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 915 | https://facebook.com/JoannaPilarczykArt | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55308 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/26/25, 6:23 AM | 1703105768 | 1740572619 | 65 | 330334979766214 | 1 | 1.0553699422839E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534145364896 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996597 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411377589_1646980729163600_5345520997854604655_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jfP7SgEvaLsAX9ouvFa&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD-jDVUN6Vv2rsusZZnTImCCZJUXdnZbCRIvqqveLKvcA&oe=65876DF2 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411334762_319214227652228_5099056279560285871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KKA_S4UaPc0AX-wq9bl&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCPKj56WIU2_zNbM7K-4kb5y79guKamTxxEvpljRcyy7g&oe=658932B9 | 0 | 3 | All the boho vibes with this beautiful mommy 🥰🥰❤️📸📸✨✨✨#maternityphotography | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55921 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 2:45 AM | 1703105775 | 1724053553 | 65 | 701252671973887 | 2 | 1.7354778235962E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041878158 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421862 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409817564_889992669174341_6138589635479854598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=80qZg21xNtkAX-QTzmu&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB_rBp6AG6aOczBTXE3x7Te59F5DTk91GEPs3DxwMtR_Q&oe=658871C2 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409724563_1034084614475220_297909396853144513_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v6TulLcBHuUAX_ShPA4&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC4FyRbUhM_p6MHFlfNgQY06vBducBsxIi7VEAnGCzsVg&oe=6588E3D9 | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55709 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 12:48 PM | 1703105772 | 1723225714 | 65 | 1033629754529195 | 1 | 1.0399798372521E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120202080028530218 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/03ncalhtwf43osqtpog3bjmg?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702541105 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409890517_1152270752417969_5000526840164957011_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=03PRmyQ2O_oAX9_c03t&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBsiFZBWOTSI9FXyMwnCY541vAEsbH3ZZwDKLbPB0sS-A&oe=65885F80 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409724637_298490319819183_6080768548118496441_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tGrLdY8ixPwAX8wEy99&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAICdEPzdWOy5vtjkGVgIQzQXGL5C-WdjtlD7Cd186Ibg&oe=6588A52B | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56234 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 1:12 AM | 1703105778 | 1742364726 | 65 | 352243340721317 | 3 | 7.3245825546219E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 198128873855649 | 0 | Jami Santor | 120201542315850304 | tipbeauty.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | https://tipbeauty.com/?p=HJQzGqqZj | 1700682897 | 1.9812887385565E+14 | Jami Santor | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404631170_880845473227980_7890172996492521013_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P7zj4y1AXywAX9PkQus&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEE8cInMZBqhEKZzoskuuF0E7-kZUDV0YahGKLlCDJ5g&oe=6588BA7B | person_profile | 0 | Jami Santor | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404283802_1407100483211068_7060177109446161455_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VGjp4se2v78AX-e1JDW&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBIRFXjppli4KR_m7VBF-Ct41Q2bbuIh6knzi5FThjRAA&oe=6587F60F | 0 | 3 | The best stocking stuffers ! Shop here for 50% off: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftipbeauty.com%2F%3Fp%3DHJQzGqqZj&h=AT3O8YJQ4mf2233yo-Kjt18ZbFznwT-NXb_hmpmI8UzZV5ipLKBK1LVxQU3KK2f-Tkk0gWNoJTb0QbrsgJ_x94R-WGTY2DRUHSOV0KunRVCxDxU78D5DbYRpTWFh7xpGMfnPp9Jh0PF9OXo4GvjJavv1yb_TJ_eTwsq2oA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://tipbeauty.com/?p=HJQzGqqZj</a> and use code JAMI for even more savings! 🤯💅🏻 | Jami Santor | 3167 | https://facebook.com/jamilynnsantor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56238 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/14/25, 6:17 PM | 1703105778 | 1744672633 | 65 | 900613621151450 | 1 | 1.7320422439681E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6585777607809 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/collections/new-york-facials/products/triple-crown-facial-1 | 1701966856 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406747956_3674550462784504_4137049871884007342_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z48Q4j0y1EMAX_Y-e9V&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAU3TpFLr5YAeNfP_ArV4f9l6tAdYGU93fQ179DFjGuvg&oe=65880F54 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406748390_673707534848007_664885321753358586_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4iQ74FGKmokAX-_pxIW&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAeBHJuJfxGUgnEVC5tNQekrHS3n2EMe_kNQWLQAjnvFw&oe=6588A9AF | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56960 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/2/24, 3:08 AM | 1703105786 | 1725264484 | 65 | 1050702726071591 | 5 | 8.9788543133228E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721115290167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679000 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404549215_1715815735586018_265815704509471861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AcKROjmBac0AX8ZI5RB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBdAhwuq74tVUkaEQNXZ5O6LCbiTdktXE8yDdQbxDolag&oe=6588F442 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56001 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970748 | 65 | 730347718590910 | 1 | 3.329919928497E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 135302253194628 | 0 | KILZ | 120202541248560781 | WWW.ACEHARDWARE.COM/MAGNOLIA | Shop now | NONE | carousel | KILZ | http://www.acehardware.com/magnolia | 1702338790 | 1.3530225319463E+14 | KILZ | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409393862_728820275791355_2000459465963158743_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iAPmck_MJnQAX9HKb4b&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCqXv_6xunwYrWL7Ar6RV6zW1aVnJAYALlhrvVo68pvTg&oe=6588DE56 | person_profile | 0 | KILZ® | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410462493_696856155930593_4778605442293308195_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ujInf09-rcAX_kbVgb&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAPDbmZryMThWPEJK7aIv3Xsr98e--2wBPOXSHKfvrujw&oe=6588FA26 | 0 | 3 | Say hello to beautiful color & premium coverage from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint. | KILZ | 76515 | https://facebook.com/KILZBrand | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55636 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/2/24, 9:35 AM | 1703105772 | 1725287729 | 65 | 887829016084010 | 1 | 7.3289878971586E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 106914145511790 | 0 | Family Unit | 120202325849800088 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Renovation Revelations: Former “Fixer Upper” Clients Tell All About Their Experience On The Show By: Lilli Keeve | Last updated: Aug 31, 2022 Originally Published on trendymatter.com and repurposed with permissions During its run from 2013 to 2018, the hit renovation reality show “Fixer Upper.... | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702556260 | 1.0691414551179E+14 | Family Unit | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411177872_6699471436831270_1778081237323893792_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q_BL5W2Ldh8AX8b3cMx&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCpKEknZgiHp5kOL5pUdnGfZDTkfGo7LzVoxM1r5R8kdA&oe=6588FEE9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Family Unit | 2075 | https://facebook.com/100086268781719 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55885 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 7:49 PM | 1703105774 | 1747097342 | 65 | 769834961644779 | 9.0875709362522E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160518903982338 | 0 | TV Girl | 6500383219089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702069910 | 1.6051890398234E+14 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409000023_1103045377353411_1402253377364601672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4xwS_HtY820AX9H52uV&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFk4ydQ5aM4nPXwGkUGAb-spViUBqfH92Qcf8802QdLw&oe=6588F139 | person_profile | 0 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409594800_1465710100827189_802791121056906112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S-kxKyd2vY4AX-dcCbY&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCwrnTs7arLkvIzmQI7U-LrFqbENakNWw6YReWzg4mrZA&oe=65892B7C | 0 | 3 | SLC. Due to screeching demand, the TV Girl All-Star Band will be making a special appearance at the Kilby Block Party this May. Don't miss out on what is sure to be the social event of the season. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT38sFJAOFIeIcaCndeyOlpJ8XeaqSTj7tFPwdpFSN7LlGVdBZDIn2aiaDQsxi2ExsJHi6BnzxGbdPxROQv_-P4AI1OZdqLqkNL9gj2QcFb0uLKfIrB_x_XpWyKcpytsTD9xXqY1pN9qMnSomwUm2-30qgQZY6vn8XuMr6zAJXQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | TV Girl | 47719 | https://facebook.com/tvgirlz | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55376 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/26/25, 7:01 PM | 1703105769 | 1740618063 | 65 | 922462049456678 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX8fEc10&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfApy4aIKhrgMgWdTPUXdt98C21wTOxDE7TDjaI7nqiUOg&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55257 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686729 | 65 | 147454865083647 | 1.1621258614114E+15 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859053005670562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1694111919 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/376747118_3369985706665473_2680235884606967382_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i3pqoItXjBQAX_ui-Se&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDpH38fRAtJBT-dqLLKJ7bPKiUYbpe4kk0tltLENsSk7Q&oe=6588CCD1 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | ❤Jak rozpoznasz kiedy KOBIETA daje z siebie za dużo w relacji i brakuje jej miłości do siebie?<br /> Poznasz PO ZACHOWANIACH:<br /> <br /> 1. Z sercem i czująca dopasowuje swój czas i plany do jego preferencji.<br /> <br /> A te preferencje to często inne rzeczy ważniejsze niż ona.<br /> Ona, na ostatnim miejscu w kolejce.<br /> <br /> 2. Godzi się na jego zachowania, które są dla niej w rezultacie bolesne.<br /> I nie pasują jej do końca.<br /> <br /> Ale robi to, bo ma po prostu uczucia, zależy jej, chce dobrze.<br /> Do tego usprawiedliwia je, uzasadnia, aż kipi empatią. <br /> SWOIM KOSZTEM. W jej wyniku bardziej cierpi, czuje się wydrenowana z energii, zamiast spełniona i kochana. <br /> <br /> 3. Wydziera zdrowe i dobre zachowania prawie siłą.<br /> <br /> Czuje się, jakby stąpała po ruchomych piaskach.<br /> Im bardziej chce coś opanować, doprowadzić do normy, tym bardziej się zapada.<br /> <br /> 4. W większości ona bardziej chce, organizuje, myśli, wkłada wysiłek.<br /> <br /> A on bierze. Przyjmuje. Korzysta.<br /> <br /> 5. Świetnie potrafi go zrozumieć , dlaczego ON czegoś nie może, współczuje mu, ale siebie w tym nie widzi.<br /> A on nie podejmuje wyzwań, osiada na "laurach” i nic nie zmienia w sobie. <br /> <br /> 6. A do tego myśli o sobie “co ze mną jest nie tak “i stara się zmieniać,<br /> aby On ją chciał.<br /> <br /> 7. Tłumi swoje emocje, kiedy dociera do niej, że coś tu nie gra. Nie mówi wprost, co jej nie odpowiada. <br /> <br /> Czasem dlatego, że obawia się utraty tego co jest, czasem dlatego, że obawia się , że swoje oczekiwania uważa “ za zbyt… wygórowane, nierzeczywiste…<br /> <br /> 8. Analizuje co on mówi, przywiązuje się do słów. A nie widzi przepaści pomiędzy słowem a czynem. <br /> <br /> Robisz tak? <br /> Twoja to wina? <br /> Nie. <br /> I możesz to w sobie zrównoważyć, bez lęku, że wszystko co dobre będzie stracone. <br /> Zacznij tutaj, jeśli tego nie zrobiłaś. <br /> Dołącz do mini kursu z maxi efektami ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI. <br /> <br /> Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT0nVX_CGuS1zq-XZrD7VP2KoI-dgmdx0go5zCul9p3Q88HdyUI9InzGiJH3vTBYP3OTaGPwx0lwj1RoLSItjzO0c7f-yFHJH2yttDe6gMvt81iyHrlLcJ9-UAY1ifM018Ri1JHNZO7VQnYWv8RHqA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56790 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 8:34 PM | 1703105784 | 1745631290 | 65 | 1039137783898803 | 3 | 6.981368022681E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201123544050123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700827954 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403622935_643957344598719_1785740631046101631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZL0pSbT9SPIAX-T9G9G&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB8QaiDnqduPTuB0BbE7Fvp5rTNfNqRtxtz2-2QMldoAA&oe=65875ECB | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403620223_6620292234760421_1354765551174543964_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2GJiXZb-8xoAX8Bmy7i&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA49p8KrT1z2Ti396FONatGfT9_usljlNoFrKZV-aFSeA&oe=6589171E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55785 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/9/25, 3:04 PM | 1703105773 | 1741550641 | 65 | 259877823472944 | 1 | 6.697926553314E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1948903938530015 | 0 | Stoffer Home | 120202735842800611 | stofferhome.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Stoffer Home | http://www.stofferhome.com/?utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}} | 1702492831 | 1.94890393853E+15 | Stoffer Home | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410456569_2010181836016599_2288532023635920919_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kc98697VDFoAX8YEhGL&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfA5gomoj9-r1VLBmztazCsWjvjXz2mQtQCJ0llusZghdw&oe=658831F1 | person_profile | 0 | Stoffer Home | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410346045_736079738390448_6475607643925193005_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sw_5SeyXym8AX_edPrY&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfB8KgCG6MSHr7wrboWyhRh1Sj9E2q_1-PUCRJ8lnfm6AQ&oe=6588B8E2 | 0 | 3 | Welcome, winter. Refresh your decor with our best sellers, restocked just for you! | Stoffer Home | 3900 | https://facebook.com/stofferhome | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55382 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/9/25, 2:48 PM | 1703105769 | 1741549731 | 65 | 1325927385471712 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-uowiz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3PwS8P5g67KttMFwNP07eOMpPk51aX9lyEkUzsvZgMQ&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56538 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/23/25, 12:29 PM | 1703105781 | 1742750944 | 65 | 855202846255667 | 1 | 2.5197370420882E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12013348247 | 0 | Country Living Magazine | 120201651563300684 | countryliving.com | No button | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Inspired Prime Day Deals for 2023 Have Arrived | https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g44448810/joanna-gaines-amazon-prime-day-2023/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=arb_fb_clv_m_ios_pv_comm_k1_g44448810 | 1701211533 | 12013348247 | Country Living Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406311791_321631677340954_1736222032469075416_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PPr18jKtrl8AX_9zkjX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfOvN4XeuU6NWIcjTjai5e7qpf8xgas0bFxUlVUD-0Nw&oe=65893005 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | If you dream over Jo's modern farmhouse style, it's time to make it a reality with today's Prime Day Deals. | Country Living Magazine | 5146467 | https://facebook.com/CountryLiving | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56893 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970749 | 65 | 291900446527649 | 5 | 1.0051758140478E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779083570250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678135 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405259946_862600855406763_4157166056653863836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6gXCaL0aLqsAX9GU0ac&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAS6P2T4z1WNvgRUSGwaVrThvv1U8xY-mJbW8cIGMKDNQ&oe=6588EBFA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56679 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 7:10 PM | 1703105783 | 1747440638 | 65 | 647654707569273 | 1.0142185298623E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145425340740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Opens Up, Breaking Her Silence Before the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806348 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404595040_1467089970805426_1547666123349156649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ta9DSHJnQ5IAX9EerDl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7s2xB0b2dsMKhIdv2T5MMJEw27DDgN6lKhZZAX4ysLw&oe=6587795D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long-Hidden Truths: Joanna Reveals Husband's Story and Behind-the-Scenes Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55586 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/31/24, 1:06 AM | 1703105771 | 1725084410 | 65 | 1783283052186598 | 2 | 1.3934563812892E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011728170506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636892 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411510362_231052290021287_2479991297513288735_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KUqQjXVZI8gAX_kcQX4&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDt7MSkJPrS_PCk58Bp5ItHCxKl8xaU4XkydEUaz7yoZw&oe=658875C4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236465_282288087712754_206767378895363213_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vsCYYrt6BdoAX84RQ1x&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAC_CeRopDX0BXoHDOhrMJiBZ4odP1k9pIOwV-XfUAFSA&oe=6588892B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56390 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/3/25, 7:42 PM | 1703105780 | 1738633341 | 65 | 361753882925511 | 10 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202284804410275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666214 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406484824_367991149015205_2863725143540685111_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-VfPj2wFg34AX-sBIoe&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCghX2W_VeVZtC7faWNNmvHbNL55RNLK2UcNwS2h6pFEg&oe=65889287 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56783 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/1/25, 4:30 PM | 1703105784 | 1751405414 | 65 | 351067144146109 | 1 | 3.4203371513785E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220473980404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582759 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403047770_199560026534055_8884005452969853035_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_bfPZYzjjO4AX-kSxL_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMYXTUQA9V1UcEr-v8XV-gMtDvESiV-kMMCjzMbZheFw&oe=658843EB | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404746527_844774224049542_1468328152344845832_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OJlwepUjP04AX9Juy9G&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCF9jHKtxVUeGTvbNHoYAM0j8F5zuEmUcGhN2h32ihiNw&oe=6588E926 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56875 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970749 | 65 | 164982969993022 | 5 | 3.3582069914797E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779071030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678105 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404281049_663826785738975_691301604766854849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ykNp0-Tw4SgAX_EjRIs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCZUZD3HLGBfqF6iiQJX4ohKnPTGmwvS8sWiMgRf9GR_w&oe=6588FE11 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55241 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/25/24, 4:52 AM | 1703105768 | 1724579534 | 65 | 821467669669141 | 1 | 3.5624810362795E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108215147346228 | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | 120200715186240435 | joannasfashionstore.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Joanna Fashion Store | Για όσο καιρό η ιστοσελίδα μας βρίσκεται υπό κατασκευή μπορείτε να απευθυνθείτε στο 6945 148 796 | http://joannasfashionstore.com/ | 1699655457 | 1.0821514734623E+14 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400102110_659318646271036_5101987789218289340_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WLhbW9jDN4IAX-kb7rU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDiPjeNDesFd1njSOatr5IYOONYMxIn8nhNP8uK8ujR1g&oe=65883FD4 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400096344_709424724408700_1912792637715868274_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZayyLBo1rk0AX-iSKuy&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCvb-CoEGS2V7qAr5-1ts03edOZJkWw9gds6Ff37DuB3A&oe=6588124C | 0 | 3 | Joanna <br /> fashion store | Joanna Fashion Store | 83297 | https://facebook.com/100064833155643 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1699603200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55444 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970749 | 65 | 6840373016081383 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120205002904110655 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702879825 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412088280_1549893419094607_8094213034876948140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6ddDesgBLgYAX9dntgT&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBeZbZkts3JE3epoqVQ32rXCwJutYIvXUrUnDqYEhq_qw&oe=65893879 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56251 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 10:28 PM | 1703105778 | 1747452514 | 65 | 676409374603872 | 1 | 2.0758963694761E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997441900476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701941030 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406851652_1012306223159937_8209872872590158514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tTRC2mt78yQAX_385gP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAbR6NVJy6GYOyloka6K6BKtkclkNaK9ze3ijmNRUKUiw&oe=6588DFD6 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406806780_1825876304538169_1614806044932515544_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xGSdvK9p8O8AX-YWbJf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCp3PUF3LP_mOZ2nJXBIjXj8PTtcE1UEh7W4owjJfPSEA&oe=6587E176 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55749 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 10:49 PM | 1703105772 | 1747453797 | 65 | 3809341076017748 | 5.891996700146E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548082409 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494398 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410179264_210343492122435_2077120091772474214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8Ze-p-aaoQAX-ZexFd&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDGP2gX_zj3DIAtI9PnKT54jg_N23BZaoe6UzHArFPFQ&oe=6588ABFC | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410912329_365323069314906_222432086658054212_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T2lLl-Jz-ugAX-c8-lZ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAUgAp5gv1SCM1kJbLof7A_3_uGnQ-TVi-_gJgJMwcDug&oe=6587BB9A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55262 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/17/25, 12:43 AM | 1703105768 | 1747460600 | 65 | 2622662277915361 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120202362651350087 | joannaczech.com | Shop now | 147 | NONE | dpa | {{product.name}} | https://www.joannaczech.com/ | 1701271993 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404780699_132200206653762_1563164270495979669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W4rmRbIw33MAX_2Ui3l&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7gHfEz1XLijuOmCbNSp9boPXiTYlywCAK-IBlMGewTQ&oe=658888B3 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404802463_730445835617262_4719683800735096545_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4qrnl8ZAcZMAX8nKU3N&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAepihdBneLa2SJRyi_ERpqIn4abDkxowSti8JvdqPDcw&oe=658891BF | 0 | 3 | Fresh favorites for your skincare routine. | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55517 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 7:33 PM | 1703105770 | 1747442024 | 65 | 1117732646196841 | 1 | 7.4257146456091E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765565540465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702389 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411386795_197444796770759_7508976431986331806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5Z-NJC4yTMcAX-p6QPZ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBxFogEMWb0RwZNOxDmmY5LUyolWslX0h7E2h13fejz3A&oe=6587DB6F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411399011_1299835684029611_5383526072053850698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Me1qQ_xUwhAAX-HzJ6J&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAehll2IsAUHC13zJPPpDZ9nC7J9IQF6oEeJbiR_a2lDg&oe=6588A5AF | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56809 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 11:41 PM | 1703105784 | 1723696880 | 65 | 905876244257747 | 1 | 8.3235467198167E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632011080115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796595 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404356969_367449655843266_7527399850069224682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TLQIzc2svksAX-xRgJH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAJn9TEwF5kd9j40tzfxlgWlXpMXjqFdrio-HpfDrvURw&oe=65876F48 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404330053_3215866082050662_4837917576198418091_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pu7uIo03pWEAX-z-mFH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDxhtqv4j3fixETDXWKddkRQOnEb2X9WUwL77lfd-e4WA&oe=6587FE7C | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55520 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 4:49 AM | 1703105770 | 1724060992 | 65 | 1483004549228413 | 1 | 1.1026464245114E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765986200465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702349 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411187762_891285895719905_1455482199151755989_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9tT1JrGFVLcAX_GMVYl&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBYCOA5Ugolz2CjNnG0rc7QiSo8uKOjLZdsbCJ8aLYlXg&oe=6587577A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411188160_1050782586052597_2806092257933989414_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nHlG_C6XrDMAX9tYNqp&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8HZHNNFHlhxsuv2WnEVhKV8voT88k10bGKGGWsRooQw&oe=65891471 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56067 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 2:22 AM | 1703105776 | 1751440970 | 65 | 590738843194003 | 2 | 8.5982685230466E+14 | 1702368000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120202038665570431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702285392 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX-PsW_1&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAKuKjadlpYkXmurN9Ww_TqjkUewDX2Py8wcBRIWMtwhg&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408152812_386380160494544_1403195698978583350_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zBK-gxYuVEcAX84cfn9&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCCxPMWR_7IEo3zVnld215SHKZTg2vTr9ia2ccLvQWekA&oe=658783FC | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, showcased by a Swiss gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56852 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 12:57 AM | 1703105785 | 1745647034 | 65 | 1063149208361885 | 1 | 6.4437657790909E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611858960115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722764 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404630703_877329843676842_7795716901740602916_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ApPi9KODdjYAX_oVwbd&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBo0xLgggzPx-3tTO9u4ooxoQRPA-X4GFfxdiVuqvstYw&oe=65875E1A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404669637_1047130586398005_6743665582288026876_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qS17pgaZV6MAX-v5Cmv&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlSFH8H72FaZ7LUtaCEhdzc_4NOwu2sNu-WKqRiflQvQ&oe=65877BB7 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55461 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/8/25, 1:29 AM | 1703105770 | 1749364170 | 65 | 738615294841535 | 1 | 2.4943066148563E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160354473821593 | 0 | FamilyShirt16W-9 | 120202654379040088 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your family | JOANNA-A16 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a16 | 1702862794 | 1.6035447382159E+14 | FamilyShirt16W-9 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410886665_3674233936232886_8507986452791927928_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qrcM6PuqJu4AX-xzUnR&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXFITbYUnf7cl7pBAJKQrVVFInLxbP3LicGstiGSX8fQ&oe=6588236F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT04ziAXObxb5u7H4W-7seGkrpWVM8NaCInytN8p7J9rMpAHuUtWAWenmmRhi2vU2ICC4FLFZ6AtKAvvFdSMYN9e76HMl2hQeYsHMZbXO8mQ1yKyhHTPqViQRPgu7Kkn5vUdChkJzDSraM7ixD4FUZzPrXw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | FamilyShirt16W-9 | 4 | https://facebook.com/61552465766408 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56968 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105786 | 1745649948 | 65 | 1240877930636376 | 5 | 3.5632109572798E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721409990167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679679 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478545_996064758122985_9149296117747152661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlilrlXHaPoAX_AWP68&_nc_oc=AQlvNa3z_XydPHZiOtn0f4j16M0prmdME60Mxpi6tFC6aAVoDn5qhcIXrVqv8OZIypo&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVMTGT94KLRofMwRmLFRXNcAt-995uUExLXKwaYiGPRg&oe=658811A3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55802 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/17/25, 2:31 AM | 1703105773 | 1747467066 | 65 | 7192066284148957 | 1 | 1.8349562818238E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203511108750308 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702463577 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410170986_904273917957292_7006361229843907468_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oRzYgSiSl4IAX_ZP_WE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB6ao2c3DNm32M0yj4w5C-dUOkbOQ-EFNnEJB_I6YglLQ&oe=6587EEFA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410181816_1082489436513117_9207525525908012884_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b9_BH1nUdGcAX-4HHF5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPoTyXsu-GS9mAx4ddFbmKLeQWcOvIZ440uSSYTI1kBw&oe=6587CB93 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55869 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/17/25, 3:06 AM | 1703105774 | 1747469201 | 65 | 1100141748006105 | 1 | 1.0665786643789E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220209950670 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449377 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409929054_880577036773209_3031551670960812277_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mNsK5nvp5QwAX-lDBHz&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAiBAcZ0VfXnbIhijFONDTNRYzSMXLjju_LeSJTNlvwnA&oe=6588BCC0 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923867_813381850561189_2466372437167804151_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pTxHRz9C4ekAX-0wMBK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFmmX1ZWIp3Uws7EVeg55j8ypbGBxeAEVjCDsfXngYgg&oe=658842C3 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56281 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/17/25, 11:42 AM | 1703105778 | 1747500139 | 65 | 2226794844511619 | 4 | 2.7496543485083E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543270149310 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Primavera Sound Porto | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899523 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711971_3003923139745176_1428078933966580244_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8wA3nGa0QR0AX9xlBpg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAibrCl9_8JrEfj4ILI-tIvN-00zxHomp4om0blulroOA&oe=6587A12B | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407695350_901125501044084_2363147447325947883_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=trg_dTQcvzYAX_k6Ffx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDi4hKJGhvDhgOdVT3xzD3VZyzwvGrcyACc5dss4jXvbQ&oe=65879FD4 | 0 | 3 | Primavera Sound Porto returns to Parque da Cidade from the 6th to 8th of June 2024. Around 50 artists confirmed to celebrate the 11th edition! | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56209 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 11:30 PM | 1703105778 | 1746592221 | 65 | 1039381263850126 | 1 | 7.0229934852906E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074124230476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016075 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407985010_3549496512034107_4938981912730488868_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4fK3ySTXW0sAX-4zIW6&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfDBo5nn6klJsOOk5pQ3qWzkd_kN-Q2Do6iuFVa4vreELQ&oe=65876322 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408009179_1074478800670164_769138823354248866_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qZKrmf4yyzQAX9zq7t0&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCONWQdTnCt2rbgbYCN2Wl8IIveYJufmBSmqI7r7NpqVg&oe=6588D028 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55823 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/25/24, 4:53 PM | 1703105773 | 1724622815 | 65 | 1445257152720540 | 1 | 7.115464876062E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169342960427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462138 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409741072_286549833884682_7355185182343181208_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q_HMSDNdH0UAX9HWADx&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBek75TSAphtdBcAUdHLjTIyrP61XS6N2fQgG62_vheaQ&oe=658929D8 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409693545_1088187059027793_1974778971229654055_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hGitUL9-8i0AX8s7lww&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAWcmFmFcykXKBeKTtvD1K-Rek76pUMHzhLGrpiaObiEw&oe=658847C1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55881 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 1:25 PM | 1703105774 | 1751480743 | 65 | 268514066214058 | 1 | 3.4234680174559E+14 | 1702540800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103102889409561 | 0 | bernwilde_ | 120202148561460761 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/bernwilde_ | 1702433531 | 1.0310288940956E+14 | bernwilde_ | https://scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/354796450_1017564119654837_8312601682028372871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=gVgqPZhrSPQAX8jxcLs&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfCKuh1rKaTT7FRPP47cQheX1SZ29LVloT3oW2TuPllwZw&oe=65878BB4 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | BERN WILDE | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409716969_886892929325974_4025546212544110108_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e-qkSskhq9MAX8ihIOn&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHP-i0o96oDJA_0sYl-kySyipZc_LqY4jEPtEyT20NoQ&oe=6588CF93 | 0 | 3 | If I knew you once<br /> now I know you less<br /> In the sinking sand <br /> where we've come to rest<br /> Have I had a hand in your loneliness?<br /> <br /> 🎶 Go Long by Joanna Newsom <br /> <br /> Original photography with Samantha Pearce | bernwilde_ | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/bernwilde_ | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56573 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 1:36 PM | 1703105782 | 1751481417 | 65 | 1026061481777939 | 1 | 9.1414836031542E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300681580596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151761 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404650706_2983813118415870_1851831510146468041_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=co24J1G7StUAX9j7NFe&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBYs5Rva_9Yo5w0H9cCFJ7etFKql9zQJJkKgtGUhu96jQ&oe=6588A79A | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404656943_307185975516736_8567524924891062067_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LAZgXFdjbpoAX9nQdxX&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCPJ2ZJ8pCz7L_3KS8nOhM3C9AIwQl3UgNcqbUsFfKt6A&oe=6589255E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56063 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/12/24, 8:31 PM | 1703105776 | 1723512696 | 65 | 1400524254005746 | 2 | 6.7668274464497E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974499620427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287506 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409625717_374421851813467_4329999258354937563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_OhD1y-NfAUAX_4_Rry&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCudJooNAe6Z34eTgIW56NgnH5IJQv84ZHPPL-PkIaJ8Q&oe=6588DFBB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409898150_1523765721755112_2231649327298250466_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EH46bnfc-ogAX-_rfCu&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAStpEvFUv5Rg9VzZ5rIbtBY2qDLb0ElEaMCqb0yK5Zaw&oe=65875165 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56888 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/13/24, 6:28 AM | 1703105785 | 1731500882 | 65 | 277837954751397 | 3.5632109572798E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721409990167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679679 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478545_996064758122985_9149296117747152661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlilrlXHaPoAX_4Bwvj&_nc_oc=AQkbrNAo8cCyrZ0xss52sUH55TJpvpZ7zPmR4kwBcsUa2K9fTH30Tx41zzcQIF5HWnA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzaL-9DlV0U2FlulhNPGtOzw9QlAKtCIiuF1UhZmoxog&oe=658811A3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55771 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/8/25, 12:03 PM | 1703105773 | 1744131836 | 65 | 704312891666196 | 4 | 7.3704260847814E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548025009 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409925056_926532802228444_303522182983586205_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FHJwWiHH5ksAX8-jmQi&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDSNrAtCh-BNNlXOy5J6h1Ca7QcKfkD0_YvyAofcadqCg&oe=65889F3D | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409969123_1380957899171649_8818600044605581914_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N9oKl9FWKQQAX-wKa1H&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfD-F9i31vAQfTfPsGKtVGx2Vz5JfVDpszJi2Pv0AO7qQA&oe=658922B5 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55790 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 9:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1751511502 | 65 | 835768734897556 | 1.8294816908026E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104682145044102 | 0 | Lena Hendrix Author | 23858292338850253 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Small Town, Brother's Best Friend Romance! | Start reading now... | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091V6X69L | 1693841498 | 1.046821450441E+14 | Lena Hendrix Author | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/375564882_274290835461057_5581859090234556069_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fygW_c0VKbAAX-ahSGL&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBmQP5mp5B6g6d9tLv84CEJ4gXCApALRhTOu9W9YFldQA&oe=6587E3EC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | I felt like I was falling apart at the seams; Joanna pulled at one thread and I was unraveling at her feet.<br /> <br /> FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3Z2D9ao&h=AT0rmsy4Zu6SP9_BFE5_t9EoJSvTExsTCe6jJgOJq4Cs7qnfI6r_gkpcNRTuJMU576E1V7do1vwRKl9VCliin__-1ChTqBS2z2_VdN9r2gEeOxWyPIi8P-OxhMgsbzr57ZVWfglJicbkGDsH_Pk6RE5XpUo" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3Z2D9ao</a> | Lena Hendrix Author | 946 | https://facebook.com/lenahendrixwrites | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55886 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/12/24, 4:18 AM | 1703105774 | 1723454312 | 65 | 668951278759040 | 2 | 1.387128625231E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160518903982338 | 0 | TV Girl | 6501561163489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702429503 | 1.6051890398234E+14 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409552532_889880666064558_7917201848588845466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vx9u6s0Fh9EAX9lQCVt&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAzLVUYJ4JANf866TaGq38vATz4_QtF1tUwARy9jV3w4w&oe=6588B36F | person_profile | 0 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409629241_211507938593230_4301093167646763920_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ibxcs4orcYsAX810R5_&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6_bUjRP2iva4_Nmg1UvKfk5fQ5Av7VW-MNxUPD121sw&oe=658923CA | 0 | 3 | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KilbyBlockPartySLC">Kilby Block Party</a> in SLC this May 10-12, 2024 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT165s8_21eWovEXo_utFwh-EkjShwJWwQFWrrdtI9SjT2Llcy482nfGhYhuts58X_MxNvRtMUIp_2CrlE5WV_A_RIyy0IgqZZZl7sQdHBimL-o17-2SXmQW2kFbFhLeB2niNaY-aNUkrPVJ5dGV_NX2SCJLuIyjbGjXq2TKDng" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | TV Girl | 47719 | https://facebook.com/tvgirlz | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56421 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/27/25, 6:04 AM | 1703105780 | 1740657877 | 65 | 3627952774150754 | 1 | 3.6340862287943E+14 | 1702368000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 183323721531789 | 0 | 03.mgifts | 120201987902750603 | mgifts.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D6 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1701427839 | 1.8332372153179E+14 | 03.mgifts | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407394075_1067557804570866_7014688119880180333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e4eupFs_VhIAX9niKXc&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBG7JL2QQOfvEKsW8DuiIAkbOBveJ0kydRjo5FzSU6qJw&oe=65879937 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Get yours here : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fjoanna-things-d6&h=AT0DLbxNLGhn3iwhg7gBVLNWNmkbbAzHgpNKSGk2UHj5T1OzSUCNL8pioIFGieCejI6h1pluaV4p-YnToL7Ffo4_XkdMw5R3W8eT99qWTm4rO-VKOs8bC-gAxmA2N2x60ZcNrIdSWjK99u1T75N5WGI2fBR4otZQc58mbA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6</a> . Visit store : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0AxnFqUXn7hVt1OIOL3oa0eNObP3zCuRwNBCpUmDSH_ZgKEUnwEQ38IYlNDXZRlrGIHDH8RBcR997rSzOD5Xe2IYGL69PDa3Ci9ebFMraP0CG2T6KcdwqZt0VboGdMEz67Si2VzD05AYYBhndm9GJ9n8opsazgS-T9sw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/collection/joanna</a> | 03.mgifts | 3 | https://facebook.com/61553817238437 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56074 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 11:30 AM | 1703105776 | 1746462639 | 65 | 1067993684218161 | 4 | 1.8125626292586E+15 | 1702713600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 131920553340233 | 0 | Family Gift 13 | 120202236923950403 | myfamily-gifts.com | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | Best gifts for your Family | https://myfamily-gifts.com/joanna-db09 | 1702269373 | 1.3192055334023E+14 | Family Gift 13 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409188108_1063825854757126_856049624249715371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d371wHwGDMAX_8uJl8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCF4PyDV7oWZ0Xsz2ZKq3IYbOn04OM_NfcoVqEyC_39Hg&oe=6587A27D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Find your perfect, thoughtful gift here!<br /> Order now: >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamily-gifts.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0qQ7FFWh3jtA1fFRB2glVuR94Ruw_JXfmfgeAZC3mebPCcw1g5_yfsbjiWwx-mWLsVPclYcGsenntZXpJW_Y7yZ-CDoPUWNl_vCvYxE7rsk2nRdiRuC_PZqHfcL-IZkN-l0OBRDOo5Hr6c-f0mgy9EBJE" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myfamily-gifts.com/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift 13 | 16 | https://facebook.com/61551888543646 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56385 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 1:32 AM | 1703105780 | 1723703578 | 65 | 368828092311257 | 2 | 3.622513731536E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100985606153947 | 0 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 120202285783750275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667412 | 1.0098560615395E+14 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408224309_669020025385010_4164907800202188574_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VR8-u7hho8EAX8DRr_f&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBbRufKLKbxDEBC7Q1zKyhWHS-umTYnx6p-NjW_h8m5mA&oe=65883F63 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 393 | https://facebook.com/domesticatedcompanion.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56094 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105776 | 1747588220 | 65 | 317907591153941 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259662750476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180802 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409139734_2909870842477186_8119368352455008717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0lnRLf1ALfkAX_39NM8&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD4EwAFePuTngT0e9f5C99Ty9WmRkWykcXJRJar_xsYew&oe=65890692 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408461372_912586193099453_2203252972141367140_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x1dl9P45MokAX-uaEjL&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPPHgZo8xLApKCAFqZT1G8JNyyxRIS-sbqDYb7p-Bhxg&oe=65880CEC | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56365 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 6:00 AM | 1703105779 | 1745665225 | 65 | 1575725606501712 | 2 | 8.7782916725369E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 122592520767444 | 0 | Airboosts | 120202122767660782 | Send message | NONE | video | Message us here 👉🏼 | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"ctm_lead_gen_new","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?"},{"title":"Can you tell me more about your ad?"},{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?"}],"quick_replies":[],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"image_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"template","payload":{"template_type":"generic","elements":[{"title":"","buttons":[]}]}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"video_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"video","payload":{"attachment_id":""}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"visual_editor_new","ctm_lead_gen_template_id":"281762424850452","template_id":"885401392819527"} | 1701705138 | 1.2259252076744E+14 | Airboosts | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407467666_901371788325930_8031583578630064760_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y_BcjRnjWmgAX-0RbpO&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDWXwatm2Z9hajKk2JnRtA2IxtuESKoz3h8YVfYa1iGeA&oe=65893B52 | person_profile | 0 | Airboosts | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407461941_257843236970961_7479117732470586937_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=USGaFQ7EAMMAX9yBihT&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC09rBvE_UqWbV4Zd9tkBkA5XdT2aQzfVFROhKHPj5fbg&oe=6588AB46 | 0 | 3 | Airbnb hosts with beautiful properties, do you want to maximize your Airbnb listings potential? 🏠<br /> <br /> We specialize in optimizing your listings for maximum potential, from full story-telling descriptions to captivating photo captions and titles, all perfectly aligned with the algorithm.<br /> <br /> Here's our bold promise:<br /> ✅ If you don't fall in love with your new listing, we won't rest until you do.<br /> <br /> Ready to join the other 94+ hosts & 164+ listings we have helped since February and to maximize your Airbnb listings?<br /> <br /> - Susan: “We are up to 10 bookings - what the heck! I’m so glad but geepers, you’re good lol”<br /> <br /> - Joanna: “I can’t stop looking over how great it looks. I have another listing and was wondering if you could help me with this one as well”<br /> <br /> - Brian: “Before your help when I searched for my property we were about two pages down. Today the same search lists us at #1! Fantastic result”<br /> <br /> - Ann: “Lewis, you just made my day! Thank you. These changes are wonderful, are you up to doing a few more of my listings?”<br /> <br /> - Nikki: “Airboosts did a phenomenal job rewriting and creating descriptions for our listing, they constructed a vibe through words that we were lacking and desperately needed. Highly recommend!”<br /> <br /> Message us now to book our "Listing Optimization Boost" and watch your Airbnb presence transform! 📩💪🏼 | Airboosts | 55 | https://facebook.com/Airboosts | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56159 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 12:36 PM | 1703105777 | 1746466585 | 65 | 906311171125256 | 1 | 1.3394500567761E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 180251658500845 | 0 | Bad Novel | 120201576037640539 | cdn.joylitnovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to read the full text | https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/2c317ec0-76d0-4274-8237-3555126e8dfa.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}} | 1702048120 | 1.8025165850084E+14 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408699939_899385311224910_3172214411084565595_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bUTZxoguULgAX98kgXJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBNW71-YZ1Ii7ANb9Zu2uQA4tXJGagUzZ0P8OujPeGfog&oe=65892EE5 | person_profile | 0 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409447086_896427745415298_1056021515309188408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YBej9qsM510AX_MGToZ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCJZ1S0O_YP7CbyjgfJONJf2wIi1FlO_9ulvMW-TybF-w&oe=6588A311 | 0 | 3 | As the sun dipped below the horizon on a July evening, the sky retained its luminous glow, refusing to succumb to darkness.<br /> By the base of Mount Elvern, before an unnamed tombstone.<br /> Clad in black casual attire, Yvonne Anworth stood before the tombstone. Her delicate features were etched with a chill that resembled the precision of a carefully sculpted statue. "Mom, ten years have passed since that day. I've stuck to your advice and kept myself in check all these years. Tomorrow, I'm going back to the Anworths."<br /> Enveloped in silence, she could only hear the wind whispering through the trees.<br /> "Boom!"<br /> A sudden, jarring sound drew Yvonne's attention, prompting her to subtly turn her head. Her mesmerizing eyes narrowed as she gazed towards the source of the noise, not too far from her.<br /> A black car with a deflated tire sat lopsided on the roadside.<br /> A man dressed in black sportswear emerged from the car. His gait was unsteady, suggesting an injury.<br /> A group of about a dozen people dressed in black attire trailed behind him.<br /> Brandon Hart glanced over his shoulder, his face stern and cold. He clutched his aching stomach, and his lips drained of color. He exuded an aura of pain and suffering.<br /> "Don't even think about running! We paid a fortune for you, and you're not going anywhere." The menacing figure in black said as he closed in on the shivering figure before him. The leader's face was devoid of emotion, his eyes cold and calculating, radiating an aura of pure malice.<br /> "Just you guys?" Brandon's eyes narrowed, his voice like a frosty dagger.<br /> The pain from his stomach shot up to his head. He could feel the blood seeping out, making him doubt if he could hold on much longer.<br /> "Alright, let's get this over with," the leader of the black-clad people said and attacked Brandon.<br /> "Huh?"<br /> Suddenly, a stone came whizzing out of nowhere and struck the black-clad person in the arm. His hand trembled, and he crumpled to the ground.<br /> The black-clad person's expression morphed into a mask of fury, a low rumble emanating from their chest. "Who's there?"<br /> Yvonne spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, "You've interrupted my mom's peace. Take your fight elsewhere!"<br /> A crowd of people gazed intently at Yvonne, their faces grave.<br /> Even Brandon, known for his menacing glare, couldn't mask his astonishment.<br /> Despite their formidable reputations as international assassins, capable of vanquishing multiple foes, the group succumbed to the might of a mere stone hurled by a teenage girl.<br /> That girl was off the charts!<br /> "Back off, or you're toast!" The leader's eyes turned icy as he ordered, "Kill her!"<br /> The rest of the crowd surged forward in an instant.<br /> Yvonne's gaze grew icy, her eyes like shards of ice.<br /> "Watch out!" Brandon had already sprung into action before the black-clad people rushed towards Yvonne.<br /> But Brandon's feet halted abruptly, his dark eyes widening in disbelief.<br /> The assassins were no match for Yvonne. They all fell before her without even having a chance to attack.<br /> And she didn't budge an inch. Her face was undisturbed, and her eyes steady.<br /> If it weren't for her hands that had not yet been withdrawn, Brandon would have thought he was hallucinating.<br /> "Get lost!" Yvonne tilted her chin up slightly, her voice icy.<br /> The men in black stared at her like she was some kind of ghost, their faces etched with confusion and a hint of fear. "Who the hell are you? And what's your deal?"<br /> The cause of their fall remained a mystery to them.<br /> All they recalled was the girl raising her hand and releasing a powdery substance, followed by their sudden descent.<br /> And they didn't even touch a single strand of the girl's hair.<br /> As Yvonne remained silent, the black-clad men collapsed to the ground, unconscious.<br /> Yvonne cast a fleeting glance at their fallen forms before raising her gaze to Brandon, who stood nearby.<br /> Brandon's heart skipped a beat as her clear, moonlit eyes met his.<br /> Regaining his composure, he approached her and spoke softly, "Thank you."<br /> Yvonne gave him a cold stare and curtly declared, "I'm not saving you!"<br /> Her only desire was to avoid being bothered and to have a conversation with her mother.<br /> As Yvonne uttered those words, she turned around and strode away. Her hand reached out to gently caress the tombstone surface. "I gotta go, Mom. May you rest in peace."<br /> As she was about to walk away, Brandon stopped her and asked, "Hey, what's your name? I'd like to return the favor someday."<br /> "I never intended to save you," Yvonne waved her hand and kept walking.<br /> "Wait ... ouch!" Brandon didn't even get to finish his sentence and collapsed on the ground.<br /> Yvonne turned back. Her brow furrowed in confusion before resuming her walk.<br /> Out of nowhere, a gust of wind swirled around her, making Yvonne halt in her steps. She glanced up at the unmarked gravestone and asked, "Do you want me to save him?" But the only answer was the wind's whisper. For a moment, Yvonne stayed silent, her voice laced with a hint of helplessness, "Alright, I'll save him."<br /> Yvonne crouched beside Brandon and gently raised his shirt. She immediately noticed that he had a severe wound on his stomach.<br /> But it wasn't a big problem.<br /> She retrieved a small bottle from her bag and sprinkled some medicinal powder on it. Then, she took out another bottle and fed a pill to Brandon.<br /> Brandon would be astonished to see the rare and valuable healing pill lying before him. It is a highly sought-after item in the black market, with each pill fetching an astounding price of 750,000 dollars. However, due to its scarcity, it is almost impossible to find on the market.<br /> After Brandon took the pill, Yvonne immediately turned and left.<br /> Queenstown, the Anworths mansion.<br /> "She's banned from this house as long as I'm alive!" a booming voice echoed through the mansion.<br /> In the middle of the living room, Yvonne raised her eyes slightly and gazed serenely at the enraged Madam Anworth. Her peach blossom eyes, usually bright and expressive, were now modestly lowered, concealing a depth of composure.<br /> Unnoticed by anyone, a sly grin appeared on her lips.<br /> Having just returned home with her father, Thomas Anworth, Yvonne was immediately summoned to the old mansion by Madam Anworth, who had already heard the news of their arrival.<br /> Madam Anworth's immediate disapproval of Yvonne's return was evident as soon as she stepped into the room.<br /> "Ugh, Mom! Yvonne is my daughter. She's your grandchild."<br /> Thomas stood with his hands clenched at his sides. His jaw was set, and his shoulders tense.<br /> After a decade of searching, he was overjoyed to finally reunite with his daughter. But he was caught off guard when his mother refused to allow Yvonne to return home. In front of the entire family, she even disrespected Yvonne.<br /> "She doesn't deserve a shred of recognition from me! I'll never give her the time of day!" Madam Anworth's hand struck the table with a resounding thud, her glare as sharp as a blade aimed at Yvonne's heart.<br /> Yvonne lifted her head, briefly encountering Madam Anworth's gaze before looking away once more. She remained unfazed by Madam Anworth's scrutiny.<br /> Thomas suddenly raised his head and declared with determination, "Now that I've found Yvonne, I'll never let her go again. Our family is broken beyond repair, so stay out of my personal life!"<br /> "How dare you!" Madam Anworth shot up from her chair, her eyes blazing. "If you even think about bringing her back, I'll kick you out of your current position and take back every share you own!"<br /> Thomas sneered and said, "Position? Shares? Mom, I'm just a lowly manager in the company now, making a basic salary of 600 dollars a month. I'm not the one who wants to quit, it's you! And as for the shares, didn't you already take them all back?'"<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth gritted her teeth as she said, "Are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"<br /> She was stunned to see her typically weak and incompetent son defy her wishes time and again for the sake of Yvonne.<br /> She was certain that Yvonne and her late mother were up to no good, trying to stir up trouble between her and her son.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to say something, Hannah Anworth, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up, "Grandma, do you agree to let Yvonne come back?"<br /> "Hmm!" Grandma's expression softened a bit when she saw Hannah. But she still coldly snorted, "Let Yvonne come back? Forget about it!'"<br /> "But Yvonne is Mr. Hart's fiancée," Hannah blinked her eyes, her lips curled up into a mischievous grin.<br /> Chapter 2 Ending the Engagement<br /> 、The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence.<br /> "What are you talking about? Brandon's fiancée isn't ...," Grandma paused and abruptly stood up. "Oh, wait, I remember now! Yvonne is the one engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, you don't have to marry Brandon anymore."<br /> It was widely acknowledged that Brandon Hart, the seventh son of the Harts, was an indolent person who lacked seriousness and frittered away his time.<br /> Master Hart has a deep affection for Brandon, particularly since Brandon heroically saved him two years ago, resulting in Brandon's disability. Since that incident, Master Hart has showered Brandon with even more love and attention.<br /> And Brandon's lavish spending habits have escalated, as he recklessly disposes of the money generously given to him by his parents and Master Hart.<br /> But for some unexplained reason, a representative from the Anworths recently approached the Harts and informed them that their young lady was engaged to Brandon and that they expected the Harts to honor the engagement.<br /> Isn't Hannah the young lady of the Anworths?<br /> Madam Anworth's anxiety stemmed from her concerns about Hannah's future. Despite the Anworths' lower social standing compared to the Harts, Madam Anworth had nurtured Hannah since she was a child. She believed that Hannah deserved to marry someone more prominent who could elevate the Anworths' position.<br /> Despite Brandon's lavish lifestyle courtesy of his grandfather, he lacked true influence. The wealth he possessed originated from his parents and Master Hart's generosity.<br /> Remember, money could run out. Once he spent it all and there was nothing left, he would be left with nothing but to rely on the generosity of others for basic necessities.<br /> Despite Madam Anworth's objections, the Harts had been committed to their engagement and couldn't simply call it off. So, Madam Anworth sought strategies to terminate the impending union gracefully.<br /> With Yvonne's return, the engagement could proceed as planned. Yvonne's background as a simple country girl made her an appropriate match for Brandon, who had physical limitations. Besides, the Anworths could benefit from a union with the Hart family, achieving two advantages simultaneously.<br /> With this in mind, Madam Anworth wasted no time and said, "Fine, let Yvonne come back. But she's got a month to learn some manners before she gets engaged to Brandon. We don't want any embarrassing moments at the ceremony."<br /> Thomas and Joanna Lloyd were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief as they gazed at the old lady.<br /> They were still struggling to process Hannah's earlier statement.<br /> Soon, Thomas raised his head abruptly, "What engagement ceremony? The one engaged to Brandon isn't ..."<br /> "Yvonne is the young lady of the Anworths. It's her who is engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, it's only natural to fulfill the engagement."<br /> Joanna's expression darkened upon hearing the news. She turned to Yvonne with a sympathetic gaze.<br /> Her mother-in-law was clearly up to something.<br /> Her willingness to let Yvonne back into their lives hints at her covert motivations.<br /> Everyone knew that Brandon had a disability.<br /> She once opposed Hannah marrying Brandon, but now she supported Yvonne marrying him.<br /> "I disagree!" Thomas's voice boomed with fury, his features contorted in a rage. "It's obvious that Hannah is the one who got engaged to Brandon."<br /> "Dad, I'm not saying I don't want to marry Brandon, but Yvonne is the eldest daughter from the Anworths. If I get married to Brandon and the Harts find out about it, they'll be furious with us for keeping it a secret." Hannah's tone was vague, and she looked down slightly, a sly look crossing her face.<br /> "Right!" Madam Anworth immediately nodded, "The Harts are a powerful family, and we don't want to mess with them."<br /> "You all!" Thomas's face went all red. He was furious.<br /> But Madam Anworth ignored him and turned to Yvonne. "If you wish to return to the Anworths, you must get engaged to Brandon."<br /> Yvonne raised her eyes to meet Madam Anworth's gaze. Her bright and captivating eyes sparkled faintly.<br /> After a moment, with a dainty smile, she took a breath and coolly replied, "Alright. I'm in for the engagement!"<br /> She must come back to the Anworths!<br /> Her lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile as she contemplated her engagement. Her return to the Anworths coincided with an opportune moment to gracefully dissolve her engagement to Brandon.<br /> After leaving the old mansion of the Anworths, Yvonne followed Thomas and Joanna back to their own home.<br /> Eight years ago, Thomas's grandmother forced him to leave the old mansion, and his family has since relocated to Newton Residential Area, a secluded neighborhood far from the city's bustle.<br /> The neighborhood had been quite antiquated, and the walls of the buildings were deteriorating, possibly due to the passage of time.<br /> Thomas's family resided in an apartment with three bedrooms.<br /> Upon greeting Thomas, Yvonne headed towards the bedroom.<br /> She just returned home, and her belongings haven't been unpacked yet.<br /> The moment she stepped into the bedroom, an insistent knock echoed through the room.<br /> She got up and headed towards the door. As she swung it open, she found Thomas and Joanna standing awkwardly, unsure of what to say.<br /> "Do you need something, Mr. Anworth?" Yvonne stepped aside to let Thomas come in.<br /> "Yeah, I do, actually." Thomas pursed his lips, unsure how to start.<br /> "What's the matter? Just tell me." Yvonne gestured for Thomas to sit down while she herself stood.<br /> "I want to cancel the wedding on your behalf."<br /> Yvonne's eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide with surprise.<br /> Joanna approached her, gently grasped her hand, and took a seat on the bed. Then, she said softly, "Listen. Your father believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and Brandon has a disability. If you marry him, you'll be responsible for his care for the rest of your life. He wants you to find someone with a good heart, someone who will truly love and protect you forever."<br /> Joanna paused for a moment and continued, "But this marriage was arranged by your mother after all. So, we still need to hear your thoughts on it."<br /> Although she had never been in contact with Yvonne, she felt sorry for her.<br /> Brandon was not the right match for her.<br /> So what if the Harts were wealthy and powerful?<br /> If Yvonne makes that decision, the consequences will be devastating and irreversible. It would be a mistake with a lasting negative impact on her life.<br /> Yvonne looked at Joanna, a hint of a smile appearing on her cold cheeks. "Well, I was planning on cancelling him."<br /> Joanna was Thomas's second wife and also her stepmother.<br /> After the brief interaction she had with her, Yvonne didn't feel repulsed.<br /> She could also tell that Thomas and Joanna were genuinely considering her.<br /> "That's good!" Thomas stood up excitedly. "I'm calling the Harts right now to cancel that wedding!"<br /> Mount Elvern.<br /> In the depths of the mountain forest, three figures stood solemnly before a nameless grave.<br /> The man on the left, dressed in trendy clothes and sporting an earring, turned to the slender man beside him. "Mr. Hart, it's been two days, and that girl still hasn't come. I don't think she'll come. Let's go."<br /> "Just wait a little longer." The man in the middle narrowed his eyes and looked at the nameless grave before him. A layer of light shimmered under his dark eyes.<br /> He was dressed in casual black clothes, and his messy hair covered half of his eyelids. His exquisite, handsome face carried a hint of coldness and arrogance. He was the seventh son of the Harts, the useless son who was saved by Yvonne.<br /> Brandon Hart!<br /> The person who spoke first was Yorky Smith, the third son of the Smiths in Norbury.<br /> "Don't wait any longer. If you keep waiting, you'll miss the engagement with Miss Anworth from the Anworths." Yorky touched his earlobe and chuckled, "Miss Anworth is a talented woman from Queenstown. Besides, you've been engaged to her since childhood. Your grandfather has repeatedly emphasized that the engagement ceremony must not go wrong."<br /> A faint curve appeared at the ice-cold corner of Brandon's lips. "Has the engagement with the Anworths been canceled?"<br /> "Even if you were cripple and the biggest loser on Earth, would the Anworths dare to break off their engagement with the Harts, the most powerful family in Norbury? And let's be honest, you're not exactly a loser anyway!"<br /> It was hard to imagine the Anworths calling off the marriage if they knew Brandon was neither disabled nor useless!<br /> "Oh." Brandon's eyes dimmed.<br /> They did not cancel the engagement!<br /> It was not fun anymore!<br /> Sensing futility in his words, Yorky sealed his lips on the matter.<br /> He decided not to mention this topic anymore. "Since finding your savior seems impossible, let's move on. We can still save Helena once we find my senior."<br /> Brandon cast him a sidelong glance, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. "Your senior? Are you sure she exists?"<br /> Yorky was left speechless and couldn't come up with a response.<br /> After a while, he exclaimed in frustration, "Of course she exists! My senior is totally drop-dead gorgeous and has a heart of gold. And don't even get me started on her skills as a doctor. She's like a walking miracle! She can practically raise the dead and mend broken bones ..."<br /> Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the person standing on Brandon's right side. "Mr. Smith, you don't even know her name, what she looks like. And yet, you're making her out to be some kind of mythical creature. Is this 'senior' of yours even real? Instead of wasting time looking for her, it would be better to wait for the Black Alliance to contact the mysterious divine doctor."<br /> Raise the dead and mend broken bones?<br /> Even the esteemed professors at the Medical Research Institute wouldn't even dare claim such skills.<br /> Yorky exclaimed excitedly, "You're talking nonsense! You think I'm making things up, huh? My senior is real! But that mysterious divine doctor is like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will. Only treat patients on a whim. We've searched for ages with no success. Who even knows if that doctor accepts patients anymore?"<br /> "I suspect he's completely incompetent! His medical skills are not even as good as my senior!"<br /> This person was ignorant!<br /> How could an ordinary person like him understand his senior?<br /> Although his senior never mentioned his name and knowing she had changed after a decade, he was certain he would recognize his senior the moment he laid eyes on her.<br /> "Fine, fine, I'll take your word for it." Franco Kelmer had it up to here arguing with Yorky. Mainly because he was kinda creepily obsessed with his senior.<br /> Brandon gave them both a quick look, then looked away and bowed to the nameless tombstone as he said, "Alright, let's go!"<br /> "Mr. Hart, where are we going?" Franco asked.<br /> Brandon's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Queenstown. I'll convince my fiancée to break off our engagement!"<br /> Chapter 3 Are You Trying to Lecture Me?<br /> On the other side.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to contact the Harts and call off the engagement, an unexpected visitor interrupted him with a ring of the doorbell.<br /> Thomas and Joanna rose to see who was at the door.<br /> Yvonne rose and joined the others outside. Guests had arrived, and her duty was to extend a warm welcome, as courtesy demanded.<br /> Upon reaching the door, she discovered it was Hannah standing before it.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were both taken aback, and even Yvonne couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.<br /> Hannah was already there, knocking on the door just moments after she had left the old mansion.<br /> "Hi, Mom and Dad! I came to visit and also wanted to see Yvonne. I even brought her some clothes," Hannah said, a sweet smile revealed as she stood in her light-colored dress with her hair tied back on both sides.<br /> She radiated an air of quiet grace and elegance.<br /> Joanna glanced at the bag in Hannah's hand, and her expression changed.<br /> Madam Anworth bought these clothes for Hannah, but many of them were only worn once and then forgotten.<br /> This Hannah ....<br /> "That's thoughtful of you," Joanna remarked, taking the bag from Hannah's hand and placing it on the cupboard.<br /> "Why are you here all of a sudden?" Thomas asked, his face darkening with suspicion as he noticed the bag in Hannah's hand.<br /> Hannah's eyes welled up. She looked at Thomas with a mixture of hurt and understanding as she said, "Dad, I know you just reunited with Yvonne and want to focus on her. You probably don't want to see me right now, but ... Grandma insisted I come and teach her some of the rules of our family."<br /> Thomas's eyebrows furrowed tightly, his gaze at Hannah carried some impatience.<br /> Here we go again!<br /> For years, whenever she visited them, tears would stream down her face as though she had endured some terrible injustice.<br /> Could it have been that after receiving the favor of Madam Anworth, she looked down on her foster parents?<br /> Who would have wanted to see it like that then?<br /> Thomas's anger flared inexplicably. "What kind of rules are you teaching?" he thundered. "Yvonne knows perfectly well how to behave. She doesn't need your instruction! She's not marrying the emperor and becoming a concubine, so why all the fuss over rules?"<br /> "Hahaha!" Yvonne found Thomas's words unexpectedly funny and couldn't help but burst into laughter.<br /> It was clear Mr. Anworth had a humorous side.<br /> Hannah blushed beet red, looking down and nervously biting her lip. "Dad," she mumbled, "That's not what I meant at all. I just ..."<br /> "Fine. Go tell your grandmother that I'll cancel the engagement with the Harts. Since she looks down on Yvonne, she shouldn't care about her manners." Thomas cut her off, his voice laced with irritation.<br /> "What did you just say? You want to cancel the engagement!" Hannah couldn't pretend anymore. She gripped her skirt tightly, and the hatred in her eyes was about to erupt.<br /> What a hypocrite!<br /> Ridiculous!<br /> The treatment was indeed different for his own children.<br /> Initially, the Harts thought she was the one who was engaged to Brandon. And when they forced her to marry him, she secretly expressed her reluctance to marry Brandon. But what did Thomas say about it?<br /> He said he wouldn't be in charge of this household, and whether to do the engagement or not would be decided by Madam Anworth.<br /> But what about now?<br /> Just after Yvonne returned, Thomas was impatient to end this engagement. Why wasn't he saying that he's not in charge of this household anymore?<br /> "Exactly! Yvonne is just nineteen, and I just managed to bring her back. It's impossible for her to get married," Thomas said with a serious expression, "Go and tell your grandmother to stop thinking about Yvonne."<br /> He was well aware of what was going on in his mother's mind.<br /> While he used to be agreeable on all matters, there's no room for discussion when it came to Yvonne.<br /> He would confront anyone who dared to have bad intentions towards Yvonne without hesitation.<br /> "But ..." Hannah nervously bit her lip, expressing some reluctance, "Yvonne has agreed to marry Mr. Hart. If she backs out, the Harts will hold us responsible. Offending the Harts would mean trouble for us."<br /> Hannah looked at Yvonne and said softly, "Yvonne, you don't want the Anworths to face problems, right? This is what Grandpa worked tirelessly for all his life. If something goes wrong because of you ..."<br /> She intentionally stopped speaking midway through her sentence.<br /> In response, Yvonne's captivating eyes lifted slightly, and her red lips formed a subtle smile. "Indeed, I have no desire to get married. Why don't you consider marrying him?"<br /> Hannah's body tensed for a moment, and her face briefly struggled to maintain composure.<br /> Who would willingly marry the disabled Brandon?<br /> She was a talented woman in Queenstown, achieving considerable success in various fields. Now, she was the top student in Fort Hill of Queenstown. With a promising future ahead, it was disheartening to think it could be jeopardized by association with that disabled person.<br /> What did Yvonne imply?<br /> Was she intentionally trying to upset her?<br /> "Yvonne, your joke is far from amusing," remarked Hannah with a forced smile, appearing quite unappealing.<br /> Yvonne blinked and looked at her with a tilted head. "I'm not joking!"<br /> Hannah was furious.<br /> She almost couldn't resist slapping Yvonne!<br /> Exploited every opening to benefit yourself, even when offered the benefit freely?<br /> Hannah's tone abruptly escalated as she emphasized, "You're the eldest daughter of the Anworths!" The malice in her eyes grew even more profound.<br /> "Oh, really?" Yvonne responded with a calm expression. "So you, a spoiled child, are trying to lecture me on handling things?"<br /> "You!" Hannah's hands clenched tightly at her sides. Shortly after, she took a deep breath and chuckled lightly, saying, "Yvonne, you've misunderstood. How could I dare to lecture you? It's Grandma who mentioned that the engagement with the Harts is a significant matter. Besides, after the engagement, the Harts will invest a substantial amount in our company. So, we absolutely cannot break off the engagement."<br /> Without waiting for Yvonne to respond, Hannah stood up and said, "Dad, I'll be heading to the company soon, so I won't stay long. When Grandma came, she wanted me to tell you that she disagreed with Yvonne canceling the engagement with Mr. Hart. If you insist on doing so, she'll take back this house."<br /> Madam Anworth certainly never said such things. Hannah took it upon herself to say these things.<br /> But she had the ability to influence Madam Anworth's attitude before Thomas approached her.<br /> Thomas's facial expression changed, and as he was about to respond, Hannah had already left.<br /> Chapter 4 Looked It Up<br /> Following Hannah's departure, Thomas expressed his frustration by forcefully placing the cup on the table, exclaiming, "This is absolutely outrageous!"<br /> Joanna poured him a glass of water and consoled him, saying, "Come on, don't be upset. This child's heart has long been elsewhere. Getting angry won't change anything."<br /> Hannah was a child they had adopted eight years ago.<br /> During that time, Thomas's sole focus was on searching for Yvonne. After an extensive but unsuccessful search, he coincidentally came across Hannah.<br /> Her facial features share a certain similarity with Yvonne. Feeling a longing for Yvonne and pity for Hannah, Thomas decided to adopt her.<br /> Hannah was obedient and sensible. She had a sweet mouth, and knew how to make people happy.<br /> She had Madam Anworth wrapped around her finger.<br /> After two years of adoption, Madam Anworth took personal responsibility for raising Hannah. In a short span, she transformed into a highly admired and accomplished woman in Queenstown, causing many people to envy her.<br /> But ever since Hannah started following Madam Anworth, she looked down on them. Although it didn't show on the surface, the words she uttered always hit people in the heart.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were not naive. Over time, they grasped Hannah's intentions. Consequently, their interactions with Hannah naturally dwindled.<br /> "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have adopted her!" Thomas lamented, beating his chest and regretting his decision.<br /> "You had good intentions back then," Joanna glanced at Yvonne and said, "Now the problem is how to cancel the engagement! According to Mom's stance, she's set on marrying Yvonne off, and if we don't agree, she might not accept it gracefully."<br /> "I've made up my mind to end this engagement. Even if Mom takes back the house, I refuse to believe that, as an adult, I can't provide for a wife and child."<br /> Joanna sighed.<br /> It seemed likely that in this Queenstown, Madam Anworth wouldn't offer them a place to stay.<br /> With her head bowed, Yvonne focused on the information displayed on her mobile phone.<br /> The page showcased details about Brandon.<br /> As a prominent figure in the Harts, Brandon's profile was indeed quite impressive.<br /> It had everything except for photos.<br /> Even the phone number was included on his profile.<br /> "Mr. Anworth, there's no need to feel troubled. I can initiate the divorce myself," Yvonne said, raising her head with a graceful smile on her soft face. "Don't worry about having a place to stay. I'll buy a house for you."<br /> Considering Mr. Anworth and his wife's good treatment towards her, acquiring this house could be seen as an act of filial piety.<br /> "Yvonne ..."<br /> Thomas wanted to say something, but Yvonne stood up and dialed a number on her phone.<br /> "Hello? Is it Mr. Hart, right? I'm Miss Anworth." Yvonne got straight to the point once the call was answered.<br /> Brandon's fingers paused on the other side of the phone, and his eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked, "What's the matter?"<br /> "I want to cancel the engagement." Yvonne's voice was clear and sharp.<br /> Brandon was taken aback for a moment. After a slight pause, his thin lips curved up as he responded. "Okay!"<br /> Yvonne stared at her phone, which had already been hung up, and was stunned for a moment.<br /> So, he was on board with this?<br /> A high-end club in Queenstown.<br /> Brandon lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed. He held his phone with slender fingers, staring at the call logs that had been cut off, and a faint smile played on his cool lips.<br /> "Is it really Miss Anworth from the Anworths?" Yorky held a glass of wine and expressed a hint of disbelief.<br /> "She said so," Brandon said with a low and enchanting voice, with a slightly cheerful tone.<br /> "Tsk!" Yorky expressed a mild exclamation and remarked, "Well, well! Miss Anworth does have quite a distinctive personality. I'm starting to view her in a different light."<br /> Although Brandon had a bad reputation, his family was financially stable.<br /> Though many girls desired to be his wife, the head of the Harts had already picked Miss Anworth as his future granddaughter-in-law.<br /> He thought the Anworths wouldn't break off the engagement.<br /> So, he investigated and found that the Anworths' business had declined in recent years, facing severe financial difficulties. The engagement with the Harts not only secured a marital alliance but also brought in a substantial investment, a stipulation set by the Harts patriarch.<br /> So, under any circumstances, Madam Anworth would never agree to cancel the engagement.<br /> It was surprising that Miss Anworth personally took the initiative to cancel the engagement.<br /> She truly embodied the reputation of being a highly talented woman in Queenstown, displaying a level of integrity that many other girls could not match.<br /> Brandon was in a good mood. His elongated eyes were almost closed into a thin line as he swiftly played his phone with his fingers.<br /> Yorky leaned in for a glance, expressing astonishment as he said, "Mr. Hart, why did you save the recording of the conversation with Miss Anworth?"<br /> Brandon casually lifted his gaze, continuing to play with his phone. "It's such a good thing. Why wouldn't I let my grandfather know and bring some joy to him?"<br /> "Will your grandfather get a heart attack when he finds out?" Yorky remarked. He couldn't imagine the scene after the old man knew about this.<br /> "He won't suffer from a heart attack. But maybe we would cry, make a fuss, or attempt suicide." These were the usual tactics used by her grandfather.<br /> In order to make him marry Miss Anworth, every possible method was used, causing him considerable distress.<br /> Now that Miss Anworth has chosen to cancel the engagement voluntarily, his grandfather should be able to settle down a bit.<br /> Taking a sip of his drink, Yorky turned to Brandon with a puzzled expression and inquired, "By the way, why don't you want to marry Miss Anworth? Hannah Anworth is not only attractive and academically outstanding but also reputed to have achieved success in various fields. Given her academic performance, she's almost guaranteed to secure a spot at a prestigious university. A wife of such caliber is truly a rare find."<br /> In the chilly atmosphere, Brandon set aside his phone and raised his wine glass, giving it a slight shake. "She's so outstanding, and I'm disabled. I shouldn't stand in her way."<br /> Yorky's shifted his attention to Brandon's faultless, elongated legs and silently looked away.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> As soon as Yvonne stepped into the bedroom, the phone started ringing. After checking the caller ID, she tensed up and walked to the window before answering the call.<br /> "I found the information," a low male voice came through the phone. "On the day your mother passed away, representatives from four influential families in Norbury showed up at your home."<br /> Yvonne's expression turned serious. "Four influential families?"<br /> "That's right!" the person on the other end continued, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, the Yeagers, and ... the Harts."<br /> Yvonne was surprised. "The Harts? Brandon's family?"<br /> "Yes," the person on the other end paused, "In Norbury, there are four prominent families. The Harts, the Smiths, the Anworths, and the Wagners. The Harts hold the foremost position among these four, being a truly elite aristocratic family. Among the families that have members visiting your home, except for the Harts, the other three are considered to be of moderate size."<br /> The person remained silent for a moment before stating, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers. These three families visited your home in search of something. I couldn't find out the specific details, but the person sent by the Harts to your home was Brandon ..."<br /> Yvonne's frigid gaze lifted, and her attractive brows furrowed tightly. "Brandon? What's his purpose?"<br /> "Seems like he's looking for someone."<br /> Yvonne refrained from commenting. She leaned against the bed's edge, and her fair, slender fingers tapped the windowsill slowly. After a considerable pause, she spoke at a measured pace, "Continue the investigation. Find out what the Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers are looking for! You don't need to worry about the Harts. I'll handle it myself."<br /> "Understood."<br /> Chapter 5 You Have No Manners at All!<br /> After hanging up the phone, Yvonne opened the window, gazing at the vivid blue sky outside with a composed expression.<br /> "Mom! Who exactly did you offend?"<br /> When Yvonne left the Anworths at the age of nine, the lasting memories etched in her mind portrayed her mother enduring mistreatment from Madam Anworth, and her mother always enduring it silently.<br /> During that period, she couldn't comprehend why her intelligent and efficient mother, despite being capable, endured bullying without putting up a fight.<br /> Once they left the Anworths, they found themselves being pursued by multiple groups. It was only when her mother demonstrated her enigmatic martial prowess and the art of acupoint sealing with silver needles that she realized her mother wasn't incapable of fighting back. Rather, she was actively avoiding the pursuit of others.<br /> Until one day, her mother received a phone call. At that moment, Yvonne noticed an unusual expression on her mother's face. But being young and having already experienced numerous escapes, she assumed that someone else was after them again.<br /> But that night, her mother took her own life!<br /> She met her demise at the hands of the poison she had personally developed!<br /> Prior to her passing, her mother had instructed her to seek out Master Reid at Haven Abbey, become his apprentice, undergo martial arts training, and remain on the mountain for a decade, tempering her skills for ten years.<br /> Her mother specifically ordered that, upon her death, she be cremated without any memorial erected.<br /> A decade later, she returned to the Anworths to find her father and fulfill her engagement with Brandon.<br /> She faithfully carried out all these instructions, with the sole exception of marrying Brandon.<br /> Over the previous ten years, she had lived under the constant weight of her mother's death every day. She had been determined to seek vengeance and wouldn't have allowed a marriage to obstruct her path.<br /> But then ....<br /> Brandon became entangled in the past events.<br /> With the marriage already canceled, any further investigation into the events of that year required a different approach.<br /> Suddenly, Yvonne's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a tumultuous knocking at the door.<br /> Upon opening the door, she witnessed Madam Anworth storming in accompanied by a group of people from the Anworths.<br /> The group consisted of Madam Anworth's eldest and youngest sons' families, along with Hannah.<br /> The small living room was now crowded with about a dozen people, each displaying visible anger. This resentment intensified, especially upon spotting Yvonne come out, as if they were eager to vent their frustration by tearing her apart.<br /> "Yvonne! You are a troublemaker! Who gave you permission to cancel the engagement with the Harts? What a bitch! Do you still have any respect for me?"<br /> As soon as Madam Anworth saw Yvonne, her elderly and cloudy eyes seemed to express intense anger or frustration.<br /> It was beyond her expectations that Yvonne would independently decide to cancel the engagement.<br /> She wouldn't be aware of it if Master Hart hadn't called.<br /> Fortunately, Master Hart approved of that marriage and didn't raise any objections. He emphasized that despite Brandon's physical disability, half of his future wealth would be allocated to him. If Hannah married Brandon, she wouldn't face any hardships, and she could contribute to supporting the Anworths' business in the future.<br /> Since Yvonne had recently returned, the Anworths had not disclosed her identity publicly. So, Master Hart was unaware that it was Yvonne who intended to marry Brandon, not Hannah.<br /> But Madam Anworth wasn't concerned about these details. In any case, Master Hart had requested the engagement with the granddaughter of the Anworths. So, as long as Yvonne married Brandon, the Anworth would still have received everything they were entitled to.<br /> But this troublemaker Yvonne unexpectedly canceled the engagement!<br /> Yvonne narrowed her eyes, emitting a hint of coldness. She stared at Madam Anworth without saying a word for a long time.<br /> "I'm the reason Yvonne canceled the engagement," Thomas protected Yvonne behind him and said seriously, "If something's bugging you, just address them directly to me."<br /> "Slap!" Madam Anworth slapped him in anger. "How dare you be so ungrateful! Don't you know what this marriage means to the Anworths?"<br /> Initially, she was reluctant to have Hannah marry Brandon. But she didn't formally break off the engagement. Her intention was to find a solution that would secure the Harts' investment while ensuring Hannah's well-being.<br /> But, with the involvement of Yvonne, jeopardizing the relationship with the Harts meant losing any financial benefit.<br /> "What does it mean?" Thomas sarcastically smiled and said, "Isn't it just to maintain your reputation? You look down on Yvonne, so you're willing to sacrifice her?"<br /> "Thomas!" Thomas's eldest brother, Troy Anworth, frowned and said, "How can you speak about Mom that way? She's doing it for the good of the Anworths. Besides, the Harts has assured us that Yvonne will be treated well when she marries into their household."<br /> "He's right, Thomas. Even though Brandon has a physical disability, his family is quite affluent. Look at Yvonne. She grew up in the countryside without receiving much education. She might not have even finished high school at the age of nineteen. She's unable to attend college. Her only option is to work ..."<br /> Ted Anworth, the second eldest brother, said, "Given her qualifications, she can only find jobs like a waitress. In terms of future partners, she can only choose someone ordinary. What's wrong with marrying Brandon? At least, she won't have to worry about her basic needs."<br /> "That's enough!" Thomas exclaimed, "Yvonne is my daughter, and I have the authority to decide whom she marries. No matter how good Brandon is, Yvonne won't be marrying him."<br /> "You!" Troy's face flushed with indignation. "This is utterly illogical!"<br /> Madam Anworth directed her anger towards Thomas, asserting, "You have no authority in this family. Since Yvonne is a granddaughter of the Anworths, she should play her part in supporting the family. We don't tolerate idleness in the Anworths!"<br /> "Hmm!" Yvonne scoffed, her eyes reflecting a touch of scorn.<br /> Madam Anworth abruptly turned her gaze towards her, her eyes sharp as if she had been unexpectedly poisoned. "Why are you laughing?"<br /> Yvonne raised her head, her clear and captivating eyes fixed on Madam Anworth. "I'm laughing at your selective memory! It appears that I haven't received any financial support from you since birth, never been nurtured by you, so where does my contribution come into play?"<br /> Even though she was young at the time, she distinctly recalled that her grandmother never even bought her a piece of candy.<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth was infuriated, her gaze towards Yvonne carrying a trace of bitterness.<br /> This little troublemaker was sharp-tongued!<br /> "Yvonne!" Troy expressed his anger, "How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? She is your elder! Is this how your mother raised you?"<br /> With a nonchalant look, Yvonne's red lips curled slightly, and hands in pockets. She responded, "Sorry, my mom is dead. Why don't you go ask her in the underworld how she taught me?"<br /> Troy's face flushed with anger. "You have no manners at all!"<br /> The rest of the Anworth was infuriated by Yvonne's indifferent demeanor.<br /> But everyone remained silent because Madam Anworth was present.<br /> Despite the unspoken words, the intense glares directed at Yvonne seemed almost predatory. But Yvonne remained unfazed, lifting her chin indifferently.<br /> Madam Anworth observed Yvonne for a prolonged moment. She took deep breaths to quell her anger and softened her tone as she remarked, "Your mother arranged this marriage. She wouldn't harm you. Master Hart expressed his hope that you would still honor the engagement with Brandon."<br /> Yvonne looked at her with a faint smile but did not respond.<br /> Madam Anworth's expression tightened as she spoke sternly, "Yvonne! Let me remind you! The place you currently occupy is my provision. If you refuse to marry Brandon, I will reclaim this house. Besides, your father will be ousted from the company under my authority. As long as I am present, he will be unable to secure employment in Queenstown. Without financial means, he won't be able to sustain your family!"<br /> Before Yvonne could say anything, Thomas stepped forward and earnestly declared, "If you want to take the house, go ahead. I am capable of taking care of my wife and child with my own hands and feet. I refuse to let Yvonne be pushed into a difficult situation!"<br /> Madam Anworth was so angry that she wanted to slap him, but she held it back. She gritted her teeth and looked at Thomas. "Fine! You have courage. I'm curious to see how resilient you can be!"<br /> In a cold tone, Madam Anworth added, "You have one hour to move out. Do it immediately!" | Bad Novel | 17 | https://facebook.com/61554129711665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55772 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/15/25, 12:03 AM | 1703105773 | 1744693405 | 65 | 741588810639708 | 7.3704260847814E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548019209 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494395 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409768826_372051281964613_8512959798565894444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R5M5ZadUfiMAX__ey-M&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCyYx2PTWoyxhw6Ip5b-yzq58HDCJhac8tyPlXUx3ehuA&oe=6588B171 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409737689_896339828667983_8638533004791380985_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rQ301dCsz1MAX8Xvqo2&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDrpuCoh8QH3K-Pcnfs1NVNk6peK2FgL2ueTdNoyPj_Xw&oe=65877FCA | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56080 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/3/25, 4:33 AM | 1703105776 | 1751535208 | 65 | 1005475060549378 | 1 | 1.0756745070924E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 161468480676430 | 0 | SunDub | 120201907369180449 | www.ticketmaster.com | Book now | NONE | video | https://www.ticketmaster.com/granite-lion-presents-sundub-mighty-mystic-manchester-new-hampshire-01-07-2024/event/01005F66D9486D49?utm_content=hotevent&irgwc=1&clickid=wbbR2l0NAxyIUQhXH-0yIS%3AgUkFSKe | 1702225881 | 1.6146848067643E+14 | SunDub | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406836065_370270412226654_3933201427863201314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LMujsMLWdP4AX_fezKx&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBa69K301zuwet-1GTLusY7nrYxKp8nTy5xu4JqTeJocg&oe=6588F330 | person_profile | 0 | SunDub | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406814840_339852462319311_7353531055090221710_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IjCDp1ug4esAX9yeIP9&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBe4vBvVh4iEL7e6xVsTgAZFFCgb0NUvtRKCpFWODDjjQ&oe=65883AC7 | 0 | 3 | New Hampshire!! Reggae Night is coming to The Goat in Manchester, NH on Sunday, January 7th 🎉<br /> <br /> @sundubmusic @mightymystic @greenlioncrew<br /> <br /> 🎟️ Tickets on sale now 🎟️ | SunDub | 3271 | https://facebook.com/sundubmusic | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56607 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970750 | 65 | 890090929127204 | 1 | 7.1396269746227E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715934000115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140254 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406240668_756513433186997_4473567189543824918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IddwTz2Aup8AX92RMmq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBghBGZzmsepjikk139uW17vQ5_gBngvk_E8yG93WtS4A&oe=6587C040 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406324982_336124292466008_4006752389501445123_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zOQvSiAyvyYAX8haljx&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCi4U2oqks0QmiYpbP5e1qNyiTLbH5b98vxEWKgPHiXlQ&oe=6588018B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55847 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 3:08 AM | 1703105774 | 1747555717 | 65 | 637009818420999 | 1 | 1.775065199635E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411380560044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702457986 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410901623_872895484334837_6056102569564284797_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KP0I-qmP7IUAX_DpOyT&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCYHHtVSGFO41odqrjy26sGplkCFOvyU9EdyxQ_xoQPZg&oe=65889810 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410182424_1329773857699591_366131898310702778_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fRhCL06xlj4AX82d4y4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAcwDfDtUOnxf2xA5aPV_yQHLzT50U58Z4Hs3AL5VzgfA&oe=6587B984 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56872 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:12 AM | 1703105785 | 1723705971 | 65 | 6326245420814787 | 1 | 6.8396664713566E+14 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111590884348619 | 0 | Scoolinary | 120203949991880679 | scoolinary.com/christmas-desserts | Watch more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.scoolinary.com/courses/christmas-desserts | 1700679799 | 1.1159088434862E+14 | Scoolinary | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403165003_1004316080677060_960250927448256659_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=39N9EgoaEv0AX-atTP4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBje1QS8DIRl9YsPq7eIbv1oHvuA-t-82W39i-3C_Ipgg&oe=6587F14D | person_profile | 0 | scoolinary_en | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403070609_281846920973396_5232418989146644336_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OuIx9wUYyeIAX8QeiSn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAV13b4TO1Ic4F0k2chkMZ-ZS-YvpSkTq0acbqT3fFceg&oe=658890B6 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Scoolinary | 180515 | https://facebook.com/ScoolinaryEN | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55822 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 10:40 PM | 1703105773 | 1743219632 | 65 | 210655162120802 | 3 | 5.9298972636324E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169341910427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462127 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699383_1358408171524522_4199503329676901239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S4kAuCSbUM4AX8Qn3vG&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBFktxgJ_xaLhTOiqkJGdbLuHKzvDGpwycMScA70TQs-g&oe=6588D506 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409700065_2443351429177741_946605930909916380_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZK7Gvz0bijQAX_QHaWk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCYfgDpDo1xfJ67RF3t3LsXS0g-Lf39AH2R1hYT76kzfg&oe=6587898A | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56645 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 6:57 PM | 1703105782 | 1743206259 | 65 | 729675709093788 | 1 | 2.6589937648063E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281134110596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068325 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406115544_1888458148279588_5737998802703126028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5xWJBflN6oMAX-fn_qf&_nc_oc=AQlxmgcNM4hLTmCUw3NFcub0iBI7lQxaiyUGG6aY6Tl4U8YzofHOVzZEQitstREqgDAj-u5C12ycbjO0vaM1ebav&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVmjYt25nqIb1XXdYALSdkPGpVEtfk-DXx05wcdaEJKQ&oe=6587F402 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404673269_754439519849358_1171581009445741586_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FpVZEQ1LHzQAX8wCFXw&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfByWksH9BCOQfd1olwtz-ojbtSBXnMFh-8sKgowgRMJ9g&oe=658759FE | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56179 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970750 | 65 | 729780698617863 | 3 | 7.455354941253E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672518840427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030418 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409103130_907832150676972_3448166245430956940_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HnYhxjHzQ_sAX9bq7Jk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDhpM_e_0lo3HE_DcaPQRS-0hSJcFGqwSc7sJmDIY6FOg&oe=6588001F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408984133_402668272094650_5244199579078562950_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fan7llU6BlkAX8WDFme&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCu6ULT0R_aXHHnTp39UO9KJmqT7gm8C2bwzwe3j1_wtA&oe=6587D39D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55701 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970720 | 65 | 1046080406642910 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202081806810160 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702543445 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410621952_869298584807558_2639963278643690258_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2wAAvFLuP1wAX9R69em&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC0El5R7VTNB6zRyvCChkr2FwNj8YbGisZpAc_M9b0caA&oe=6589184E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55309 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 4:30 PM | 1703105768 | 1746999019 | 65 | 372558955439981 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 248653532188760 | 0 | NR Kosmetik | 120202851962960508 | https://nrkosmetik.dk/ | Learn more | 232 | NONE | dpa | {{product.name}} | {{product.current_price strip_zeros}} - {{product.description}} | https://nrkosmetik.dk/collections/gelpolish-farver | 1702995545 | 2.4865353218876E+14 | NR Kosmetik | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411263214_890392245943585_2743802521913994444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9vAjowjSiPIAX-EGYdX&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAgsV4BMN7Cdn_Q5UK-c2UdpX1tt2Q5PxHcGsBBSnIpOw&oe=6588B847 | person_profile | 0 | NR KOSMETIK - BEAUTY SHOP | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412254445_1713775142439711_2120945348478359123_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0DySMCyiUDwAX9GdLTS&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAdKp8_cyv1Vi2hrEFWCoEuXDimPHdD3VRc2A6DYVceRg&oe=65875423 | 0 | 3 | NR Kosmetik | 2951 | https://facebook.com/nrkosmetik | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56325 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970720 | 65 | 707920277972842 | 1 | 6.8499843008834E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201092900490540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701842314 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408159322_738375691662356_6087702271343419064_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eRSVavpzXBYAX94_dr3&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmjDyaOuIJPKPLn9JfE6BUt-1JDoWI4OuaWn0-2pol-Q&oe=65888CD8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408124559_1136062351049295_5078458531615323066_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KBsIH2jAXQoAX9gIFob&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCwc1dYKMCGa86tOsoKWwLyXmLskvNzXdyLI_21oxvmuQ&oe=65892B6F | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55468 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 3:39 PM | 1703105770 | 1747082348 | 65 | 7428834357150326 | 3.1589290310703E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105343545334758 | 0 | Culinary Creations | 6577364620618 | culinarycreationsre.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Le Creuset Cookware Sets are now On-The-House 🎁 | https://culinarycreationsre.com/ | 1702850429 | 1.0534354533476E+14 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411112075_2300417090149769_6239144309732109313_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NqWY6MmwSsAAX-Yk4jx&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwbxC-KNANbyMqqGAv0D_w0P8rMR5aPpcQMNh3FE58lg&oe=658750A3 | person_profile | 0 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411157582_2272577989615012_3624502923782014118_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WRGUmYjr8dgAX96ll_1&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBFsIGW2LblufyzrJTeoZJkjlOCGn-KVlXsG01vOXMnCQ&oe=65881428 | 0 | 3 | 🎁🎄DAY 9 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Give_away Sponsored by Chip & Joanna! | Culinary Creations | 8 | https://facebook.com/100090339347603 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55555 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970721 | 65 | 673858704605111 | 3 | 1.2402546101146E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011778960506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636971 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411333432_1324154071612569_5274704891226462999_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gk75U2xHSJcAX-qdVK2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcDnrjDjhGvizqn1aGLPrOrql_SpfulQzWlscF3mXNKQ&oe=65880E18 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410416878_328894506577828_3695638269227316823_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uoKuwDOJqLkAX80-d93&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCcBpLNPuq0e4S8vZNPPOeD4KtjQ03N50XZ_nt6xxxp1A&oe=6588EB68 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55687 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/17/25, 8:43 PM | 1703105772 | 1747532604 | 65 | 882152083543036 | 1 | 1.0661805077815E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 330511345659 | 0 | PARMA Recordings | 120202606376150156 | parmarecordings.com | Learn more | NONE | image | PARMA Artists Selected as 2023 Global Music Award Winners - PARMA Recordings | We’re proud to see the following PARMA artists honored in the 2022 Global Music Awards. Congratulations to all on these accolades! | https://www.parmarecordings.com/parma-artists-selected-as-2023-global-music-award-winners/ | 1702581633 | 330511345659 | PARMA Recordings | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409804048_892946105768807_4001433898670391830_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RUUy2m8MzV0AX92ch2x&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCGv3W4tBBUkVfqn8Gt6zW9S4pvJvyx5GPANJRwgFSKZQ&oe=6588F19B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The results from this month's round of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalmusicawards">Global Music Awards</a> are in! We're honored to see PARMA artists <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Joanna-Estelle/100066700864475/">Joanna Estelle</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stangrillcomposer">Stanley Grill, Composer</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thechristopherjessup">Christopher Jessup</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kuhnchoir.cz">Kühnův smíšený sbor</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fanyalinpiano">Fanya Lin 林泛亞</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ian.gindes.pianist">Ian Gindes</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tjmesa90">Tommy Mesa, Cellist</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michellecannpianist">Michelle Cann</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunwrae.music">Sunwrae</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sjwallin">Sarah Wallin-Huff</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/unlvdivisionofwindbandstudies">UNLV Division of Wind Band Studies</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chickcorea">Chick Corea</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SantiagoKodela">Santiago Kodela</a>, and more receive recognition for their work. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parmarecordings.com%2Fparma-artists-selected-as-2023-global-music-award-winners%2F&h=AT1qXJGWApHxlVPtEgmYmLwl8GWvP7PqlqQBjQ_64ZJ1Mp_NAhxk9yYUIDfO3-rHrsp29AZ-dKXgmEOLQFCSdGXE80Ay9a9hZqzK3tQPUkmOyoAUGhCqUUowO1IhRXLxL7S-Is7d-T_R8Z7djHKN4g" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.parmarecordings.com/parma-artists-selected-as-2023-global-music-award-winners/</a> | PARMA Recordings | 6313 | https://facebook.com/PARMArecordings | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55715 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970721 | 65 | 888478579192203 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 138028449384137 | 0 | Past Life | 120202376013170724 | pastchronicles.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.pastchronicles.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702470307 | 1.3802844938414E+14 | Past Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410315165_368589312511636_564804614893002555_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Iae_mQ-N-oAX9TQN_y&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-5rvL0vCUhrkhoZzvIF8Ke5NALvoOnK7z1lML5RZFJA&oe=6587D6E0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Past Life | 21 | https://facebook.com/61550933261623 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55536 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/31/24, 12:06 PM | 1703105770 | 1725123995 | 65 | 190898330774038 | 2 | 8.7389821094686E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 157384851487469 | 0 | Joanna Rengel | 120203129112710024 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannarengel_corp | 1702669822 | 1.5738485148747E+14 | Joanna Rengel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409713215_903004374868608_5522920007288516723_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YyT1P0r4jL4AX9rfjhV&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDua1v1lW98aDQSCvXVsTMbqlQlTt2XOzbHKgMwVVXj9Q&oe=6587E6B5 | person_profile | 0 | Coach Creativa & Espiritual | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411074597_1121517919259522_8093983271554060386_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=msKSdP3LBUIAX9vnXcO&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDMj-mVCakq0lHcFF7zAF_pxdlvUo-Eh54hjoS4QEyxiQ&oe=65883CBB | 0 | 3 | Me convertí en mi propia evidencia de que siempre puedo elegir con miedo y no por miedo. No sabía que estaba dando ESE primer paso para mi transformación personal, y por esas decisiones que en su momento me aterrorizaron y hoy hacen todo el sentido, siento una admiración y respeto profundo hacia mi misma.<br /> <br /> ✨✨ Faltan 15 días para que termine el año, puedes verlo como un factor de estrés, o una oportunidad única para asegurarte de cerrar cómo quieres empezar. El 2024 viene potente y mágico, intenciona cómo quieres vivirlo. <br /> <br /> ✨✨ ¿Cómo quieres despertarte el 01 de enero? sientes que quieres generar cambios, quieres materializar tus sueños, quieres empezar un nuevo hábito o tomar una decisión en tu vida. En el momento que estés leyendo esto: es el día perfecto para dar el primer paso. Es momento de accionar ❤️🔥<br /> <br /> 👉🏻 Estoy abriendo cupos limitados para sesiones de coaching, mi forma de trabajar es por medio de Mentorías 1:1 o grupales, con contenidos, activaciones y ejercicios en módulos subidos a una plataforma más soporte vía chat. <br /> <br /> Del 0 al 100 es para ti si:<br /> <br /> 💘 Tus sueños son más grandes que tus miedos.<br /> 💘 Estás dispuesto a invertir en ti mismo.<br /> 💘 Tienes ganas de brillar y ganas de despertar en todo sentido.<br /> 💘 Llevas mucho tiempo posponiendo muchas cosas en tu vida y estás listx para tomar acción.<br /> 💘 Quieres generar nuevos hábitos en tu vida, desde cambiar tu alimentación, tu mentalidad, reforzar tu espiritualidad, despertar tu creatividad, mejorar la relación con el dinero y manejar tus emociones. <br /> 💘 Te sientes estancadx, frustradx y abrumadx con tanta información sin aplicar. 😮💨<br /> <br /> ✨✨ Y si sueñas con emprender y trabajar más profundo desde el amor para conectarte contigo misma te invito a registrarte en mi Marterclass gratuita aquí: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joannarengel.com%2Fregistro-entrenamiento-intensivo&h=AT1bC_VzOThjgv_e2lvVUp7MH4EBT666bvp-6-tyCT7VDiFZYmvn-jebGeb3L9z_ifqyVXW9p1mT6YPI2amAYxVtfUGqVL2H3at42OM82qPoYeTyjio7oFgKf8EcSwE-xQiRjVT1QthJc-W-s4P0_A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.joannarengel.com/registro-entrenamiento-intensivo</a><br /> <br /> ✨✨ Más información lo puedes ver en <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joannarengel.com%2F&h=AT0zTbu2IBHAjW_Ii2taO8d_mNJzkGpXKAeNpko9elG21vWEYN0-d5XMJIRJJV6Rzlj8U9y513nm3fEnT-IRkQb4tiC85sAE_78B75kQTGRLZONJLnLK6WgJbi8cXWCf3P6japZ2Q8jQZNjysVrkiA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.joannarengel.com</a> o escríbeme por interno. <br /> <br /> Vamos a vibrar desde el alma y a hacer que las cosas ocurran ✨✨<br /> con amor, 🫶<br /> <br /> Joa.<br /> <br /> #healthcoaching #amarseparaemprender #mentoriaonline #coachingonline #masterclass #mentoringprogram #coachingemocional | Joanna Rengel | 1142 | https://facebook.com/joannarengel | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55781 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970722 | 65 | 367013765838350 | 3.8508444062965E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409800295_861284615776661_7700039322791350656_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C02B1o2bAVUAX-Udsmr&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBQHLuspOfeSdRrbIsWBUc4HcsC1X9qJlX26njr0D-Z_A&oe=65887668 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55784 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/27/24, 10:40 PM | 1703105773 | 1724816430 | 65 | 3220103314950243 | 1 | 1.6009024307281E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408232811_1017423055983501_8551816748995793357_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UmmEmgLe-ywAX9dKpta&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCHB3m97lfbQY0nRTqhhyCHfQBkHA3oLwlXUWLknm8UJA&oe=65877768 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55798 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970722 | 65 | 994776061585914 | 1 | 2.2282509084948E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 208637479158360 | 0 | Maria Bucardi | 120204558714110655 | mariabucardi.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Najważniejsze terminy! - Maria Bucardi - OmenSententia LLC | Lista produktów kategorii Najważniejsze terminy! | https://mariabucardi.pl/pl/c/Najwazniejsze-terminy/88 | 1702472169 | 2.0863747915836E+14 | Maria Bucardi | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409751957_1413727329501519_5563816731038054693_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SGXD26m_0RkAX_8hncg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAP2BSkaD6-bfCxscXcyIMf5V9rqHhO3VO1DM1Mpkes1w&oe=658806B0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Nów Księżyca🌚tak to dzisiaj magiczna data 13 grudnia🕯️co chcesz usunąć a co przyciągnąć ? Tak, to już dzisiaj!!! Energie 13 grudnia! Oto krótka lista korzyści płynących z energii dzisiejszego nowiu:<br /> - W trudnych momentach życiowych, energia mszysta pomaga odnaleźć wsparcie.<br /> - Gdy czujesz się osamotniony lub w trudnych warunkach, dostarcza Ci siłę.<br /> - W chwilach apatii i zmęczenia, przywraca energię i witalność.<br /> - Pomaga w budowaniu pewności siebie i wartości osobistych.<br /> - Inspiruje do realizacji celów.<br /> - W poszukiwaniu własnej ścieżki życiowej, pomaga odkryć pasje i cele.<br /> - Podczas poszukiwania swojego powołania, skupia myśli i pomaga zrozumieć własne miejsce w życiu.<br /> - W procesie uzdrawiania ciała i duszy, przynosi dobrostan i równowagę.<br /> <br /> Co Daje Energia Mszysta:<br /> - Regeneracja i Relaksacja.<br /> - Pewność Siebie i Kreatywność.<br /> - Połączenie z Siłami Wyższymi.<br /> - Uzdrowienie Ciała i Ducha.<br /> - Wpływ na Nerki i System Hormonalny.<br /> - Upiększa Włosy i Skórę.<br /> <br /> Przykładowe Intencje do Rytuału:<br /> - Regeneracja ciała, ducha i aury.<br /> - Odnowa, pewność siebie i kreatywność.<br /> - Dodatkowa energia do realizacji celów.<br /> - Uzdrowienie cielesne i duchowe.<br /> - Odkrywanie własnej drogi i spełnienia.<br /> - Harmonia, oczyszczenie umysłu i relacji.<br /> - Pokonywanie strachów i wzmacnianie wiary.<br /> - Otwarcie na pozytywne siły i dobroć.<br /> - Wsparcie dla zdrowia i witalności.<br /> - Uzdrowienie organizmu.<br /> - Piękna skóra i włosy.<br /> - Kreatywność, inspiracja i rozwój.<br /> - Wytrwałość w dążeniu do celów.<br /> - Spełnienie i odnalezienie powołania.<br /> - Moc i siła w trudnych sytuacjach.<br /> - Oczyszczenie umysłu, ciała i duszy.<br /> - Źródło spokoju, równowagi i transformacji życia.<br /> <br /> Doświadcz niezwykłego rytuału świec intencyjnych ze mną - Marią Bucardi.<br /> <br /> Krok 1: zamów rytuał tutaj 👉<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmariabucardi.pl%2Fpl%2Fp%2F13.12.2023-Mszysty-Now-Ksiezyca-Regeneracja-Odnowienie-Odmlodzenie-Wiara-w-siebie-Wytrwalosc-w-realizacji-celow-i-marzen.-Wyjatkowy-rytual-swiec-intencyjnych%252C-wyslij-liste-Twoich-zyczen-%2F2123&h=AT1Xp5NP7NyG4yUG0_mIJq0ejbDiyEf6NuHb1s60paYWW2_JJxW3gs6vGU3IbSWINYM5iUk2os7kK4sxdH66GgAwgi2LHcx_FpELJn7IdmLsYi_BuSKv8EOVWw1qm3DgYoORELKVTXYQZ6oYqqB_jlMhaePQBxqc30-1IA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mariabucardi.pl/pl/p/13.12.2023-Mszysty-Now-Ksiezyca-Regeneracja-Odnowienie-Odmlodzenie-Wiara-w-siebie-Wytrwalosc-w-realizacji-celow-i-marzen.-Wyjatkowy-rytual-swiec-intencyjnych%2C-wyslij-liste-Twoich-zyczen-/2123</a><br /> <br /> Krok2: Wyślij Swoją Listę Życzeń:<br /> <br /> Otwórz drzwi do transformacji swojego życia za sprawą potężnej energii mszystej i wyślij swoje pragnienia do Wszechświata.<br /> <br /> życzę Ci samych cudowności i miłego dnia<br /> Maria Bucardi<br /> Rozwój osobisty i duchowy 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fmariabucardi&h=AT1JLECIVLbKYxinsMyWiCsBLJYh_vM84cla2eWec7p7WXyvwfUgtCItEWNiV_-JuaxRuT9xoZ2AG0iL4OP2jAkEN9OQ2fXWygqOlM6cEQ0DBOz4peM-mywNSSDN3j0NStQaCeM-K8yXTicxVsUehCBluRkkyTBe7zy6NmEqlpaVFTvdytw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://linktr.ee/mariabucardi</a><br /> Trylogia Mroczne Góry 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Ftrylogia&h=AT2db9Z49rHPx-AU3YS-gd4vyS3w2vCM3PgJNcdA9ol0MS0DoaFUkPoIgIvWOdTjrHYVTx3x1kpmU5HtYI-7GcuAs5IIJ9cry4MSci1-UCEKhD6R5YZe-I9Ld7oDTcmrDDgVppFCuQMGbcxdJIM5k2q_3CRhrioQzqm2ow" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://linktr.ee/trylogia</a><br /> <br /> Niektóre opinie:<br /> "Rytuały Marii Bucardi przyniosły mi spokój i ochronę, czuję się teraz silniejsza emocjonalnie niż kiedykolwiek wcześniej." - Anna K.<br /> <br /> "Rytuał nowego początku z Marią Bucardi pomógł mi odzyskać pewność siebie i zacząć nowy rozdział w moim życiu." - Piotr G.<br /> <br /> "Po rytuale oczyszczającym z Marią poczułem, jakby ciężar zszedł mi z ramion. To było niesamowite przeżycie!" - Paweł S.<br /> <br /> "Rytuały miłosne Marii Bucardi przywróciły magię w moim związku. Teraz jestem bardziej kochana niż kiedykolwiek." - Agnieszka D.<br /> <br /> "Dzięki rytuałowi bogactwa z Marią, moje finanse zaczęły się poprawiać. To naprawdę działa!" - Małgorzata K.<br /> <br /> "Maria jest niesamowita. Jej rytuały naprawdę pomogły mi w moim procesie samorozwoju." - Krystyna L.<br /> <br /> "Rytuały Marii Bucardi przekształciły moje życie. Teraz jestem bardziej zbalansowana i spokojna." - Joanna P.<br /> <br /> "Po rytuale ochronnym z Marią, czuję się bezpieczna i bardziej chroniona przed negatywnymi energiami." - Barbara K.<br /> <br /> "Rytuał pewności siebie u Marii pomógł mi uwierzyć w siebie i zrealizować swoje marzenia." - Katarzyna Z.<br /> <br /> "Rytuały miłosne Marii Bucardi przyniosły mi miłość, o jakiej zawsze marzyłam. Jestem jej wdzięczna za to." - Marianna R.<br /> <br /> "Dzięki rytuałowi bogactwa z Marią, moje życie materialne nabrało nowego blasku. " - Justyna W. | Maria Bucardi | 58397 | https://facebook.com/MariaBucardi1 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55812 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970722 | 65 | 864826582099127 | 1 | 1.3224955582899E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509795560308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462354 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409207750_313001591646810_3561491479897798069_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tB98FlrWjVsAX_zFbqP&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCzshsHiIwrnYNE3glntra-KgOmRz3dVVjrDcuyovaJVg&oe=6587F768 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410351323_1171309647611782_5077861879628828376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ab7HDm-zQB8AX_hQU-2&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAsK-_ETKvmKCgoBU-nO54LqQdmfk9FW4MNPh1T0W40XQ&oe=6588AD9C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55829 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970722 | 65 | 707718144659432 | 1 | 1.0093812668225E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411480120044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458329 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410636123_817161303548194_2279011940796304614_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KqrbXemTClYAX-tRrnk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCINVz0IUyTUixpp8QqJm7Np0uJDCfS3Ux8LshpZPwKxQ&oe=6588BF6B | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410623655_1440348296511127_8408837649451726132_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tZbePD2AzRoAX8nwaug&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9JDikCZeHwhibJa8Rjxst_oCgY26seVt8FhUO-KH6zQ&oe=658765DA | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55831 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970722 | 65 | 622555756587083 | 1 | 8.4111468436948E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411473150044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458294 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409759772_1752181108556978_3036404463085420758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TQ3sY_X0cXUAX-U4f_1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7SIYiKcKbneoVjlX25OARjo6hIUNKPLQb27bJBEfg_g&oe=658884B3 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409725802_289016084132826_4212779789542236479_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Bdf_aN3OeZQAX9z7F08&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDkEOrqG26YCd3vg1Jb_DUII4Udjz-_Y9hQdMxe17vsxA&oe=6589233C | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55834 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1012879066478093 | 1 | 6.7770492087553E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411469990044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458378 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408571577_922021646018699_4058099015452884338_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EX8R04om99IAX9MzwjW&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgxBRjTQU1Ez6__-CcqtfnpvzrL0vuzZTmych-CpUIMQ&oe=65875025 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409185443_1165240361008050_3729535158177702141_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OsSq2IM2zJ8AX8LBhcU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJjV1dwX3180Hap_-paE2ArvXTrBo17qIOHPCnDwuEAQ&oe=6587ABF9 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55843 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 323848020609152 | 1 | 6.7341792161746E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411460440044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458246 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410363761_756905582973360_9000738208133626692_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CO-UQDwITTQAX_dXrnb&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD76Tc2Fr5P9YVcZre4PSQ5CKEh2cwNWPQ08AnosS8kEQ&oe=658777CC | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410352638_871587394661641_5051529478702849088_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qB0D1WHwb-QAX8ZKYpn&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqZRWBmlF4rD21F4r9hhPOUCK-gvAuhnkT8m0ySbZotg&oe=65886562 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55840 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 322664893952447 | 1 | 8.8490669980809E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411475370044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458265 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410398668_1095949271563160_8864216580120899954_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=piEjetAfKJUAX_07IJX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBHtWPNvdH7SR7xRA4ys5wmnmJ7nWqSX3mSqHvN_aD6UQ&oe=6587DE74 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410389755_1435098750407753_8399647633024498651_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=et2tvW3jsxIAX9rYq77&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_i3t10y4Mms8qLfC5BE1hh3KCLy_suHOreSlMn20VSQ&oe=6588DD86 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55846 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 771713808318841 | 1 | 2.6543745413786E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411383390044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702457993 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409984348_894747788567748_6820995907649587049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zJXAB3tnFnsAX-TaefQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBw2oWUdgiwjRWDTDBh5LlQIVj5PPpw-2BXoB09AHV1Pw&oe=65888359 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410088361_6793778574004962_1702605529684282598_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f4TruCEYYZMAX-jYsOL&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAkGPa3696Ypd8ED-ef9iBOeEZwoVGUmNUc7_IYQBacIQ&oe=6587700E | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55862 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 758699629611532 | 1 | 7.4946514386805E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220414640670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449725 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409174014_883768986686543_6013305912833685206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FI9pn_RcHF0AX-oZNfq&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBEBQk5WT-mndDRdF2Shj-poakqjidw6kDxxHqVap0Xyw&oe=6587E2FF | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409177458_377720698165760_5631737553831097936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lyHUATyRyBYAX8OpPNZ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCl1C0mdiMDQPQTPVG0oLcqCtfNhBNUjaJwIqmIn410AQ&oe=6588F30C | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55859 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 696613359273128 | 1 | 8.7158661778418E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434512530465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447831 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409563162_333482816104071_550386521903723900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jzvpybm5HuoAX_KI-cf&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAxqbLE9LwcnotVGz72P5nFWdBbcAjzcWacsxmf7yNsTA&oe=6587CB4C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409844696_726654079344197_2730569461603710508_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e3tSqkDu9FQAX-0yE45&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwSWg9SV_QxW0FfDDaO_TbvpB5JoD_iPkp1cRNDGqOMg&oe=65881AEF | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55872 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1495783954323451 | 1 | 7.6533038540604E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434521180465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447846 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410352030_1042521330297532_6441940917494482826_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0-aALhQUtS4AX8GANOt&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCd6TkB7FAUns_kv6mOxUblvofkFUcWUOAEg2m8N9qXXQ&oe=6589088A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409204607_306171505723671_6150893896138982534_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eW3yonamQQIAX_I2PZ8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAb9EZZVAO_cqnboOQe7IakCWQtGNNFOa3h39CIU64EzA&oe=6587D3CA | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55930 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 5:31 PM | 1703105775 | 1747261920 | 65 | 7209742982425095 | 1.4427714265846E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207706769000456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390154 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409974985_2292806667595774_5897059546505085296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KNbnG3hGNGEAX--7G52&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCaHI8dhowCO-TG4P29LoiyT919uDlFnVw1hMWELNe7hA&oe=6588F064 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55887 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1152864762356359 | 1.387128625231E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160518903982338 | 0 | TV Girl | 6500394823089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702072793 | 1.6051890398234E+14 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409061646_1032160091354710_4688112060675365993_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jdjhOAaTlfgAX8XSagL&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCiiVVhvtnKLS-uLbQVPxW7jM_VHpZYxu6ITlaJBcrFxQ&oe=6588E5EF | person_profile | 0 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409033228_886821949322021_5430252131546411354_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sR-Rd_cTdVgAX8LZlrj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCc_9JhqwlVqClxry7Qo15uIH-1VvV-hudJa11-TlU7Fw&oe=6587BF0A | 0 | 3 | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KilbyBlockPartySLC">Kilby Block Party</a> in SLC this May 10-12, 2024 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2i20c4tO9-izQwYkyy7Zti_07j2I7_RuPNSEED3IlQf5qmNopGCJAfB8qFxpO5ngmYvYszX2_M1KDyemCO1HkLVcPQFbVxWq7ay-TIICOPmm7tO9fXFFmpBSvy2_JDWlZz9Sk46bEZ1z-5RA7a_io_nTCG0PW0PNm5Lwn_eKoKYJn8TWWyr6jD" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | TV Girl | 47719 | https://facebook.com/tvgirlz | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55893 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1025649325384481 | 2.2562299381458E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501559802689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428629 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409704603_732212348410611_1811607498304945626_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5wOut6-P6i0AX8AAg8q&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBYSJJtnv6ttZog0di0M2zHfMPO-kaQZZbu0fz-7ZW3Ug&oe=65893436 | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409760937_2465079687033790_385414680567387724_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aP4izRfEkqQAX9ENqp8&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDSP3XvleJgZV43qZqWU0yHMZFb4nRwUXy1daC1QxmH9g&oe=65877A09 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3gZBYkrI3sZ-blMDE7KAuTL-9WSG2ni3ECVbfLBQoGKPeOgk-vxeI6E9hhUj4ETDDhrUzhyOckzkDXnkEHKfHiuZ8fMTA8nYrO8VAVvpJ3bnCU8NpAeZCh7cmdC6IrgotMbTpPCy3pejH02oVWhburgeHNfMg_MdwVDATOTd4" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55936 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970723 | 65 | 239692115666773 | 7 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207708897010456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702391608 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409801353_344340434901221_6620016929978417984_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3VtHLFbf-E4AX-bIvN7&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAli00146_gQHL0MK4upzj8V11WfBl_p-bt--g6q-a8JA&oe=65877C5D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55938 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1076994807014687 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207707375800456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390638 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409567950_352340800870447_8227648239384670623_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oCXUq9KHWMMAX-Q4MwL&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDIzGUf6JfuxbOy7uZQJsWCBKFebD3PvlF--1ARBLH1fg&oe=65874B98 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55943 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1080928160007975 | 3 | 2.9873383587064E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140225069170076 | 0 | HistoryNow | 120207707160190456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390502 | 1.4022506917008E+14 | HistoryNow | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408184355_349534381115212_3968338814680488598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hm2qcte4IDoAX-GwF5T&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCJnGSirB97NULLQB-zKzg4ynHo8nta6iJ67TkrZaDpzQ&oe=658781A9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | HistoryNow | 264 | https://facebook.com/61551862348233 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55950 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970723 | 65 | 1084444776077240 | 1.4427714265846E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207706146960456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389599 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409201596_1103432260817570_708960797308610732_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KZOyoruzY0MAX9GAkir&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDfpr0E_wTeenB6dZR4uk01WTJMItGTHWDqG5JY2E1pDg&oe=658888D1 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55952 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 7:42 PM | 1703105775 | 1747356164 | 65 | 24535444149435212 | 7 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207706706170456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390121 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408492006_729287099097653_4981641441699659857_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z_nF1A6zrb8AX-93zcX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGJ2Z72h8dq1P2uvWVCNws2f-ULiVy-xFpe86hda_9ig&oe=65881DC5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55955 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970723 | 65 | 893192942213791 | 1 | 3.8128137759064E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 146002998587788 | 0 | AllDay Past | 120207706509030456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389970 | 1.4600299858779E+14 | AllDay Past | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410746761_330658146581433_2274347648341475271_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DgCbnfZLee0AX_uJquJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCOJeMX_nIL1CLYxPnE-w8BHc9N2oZv3pi1EBvTqTJnYw&oe=6588F7F5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | AllDay Past | 71 | https://facebook.com/61551689318955 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55954 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/3/25, 11:34 PM | 1703105775 | 1746333292 | 65 | 271573489223711 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207704766580456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702388963 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409669072_1540292973477664_7063916488699436266_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wiat7OSxpVoAX9z8tHe&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8GqY0toFCYZZn0FPPNFEUbHa24jwkJz-O4RHho1YdCQ&oe=65885F92 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55961 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 1807368093021438 | 2 | 1.9868155050345E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104712185686282 | 0 | Historical Hiccups | 120207705447290456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389243 | 1.0471218568628E+14 | Historical Hiccups | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408522975_1277819292881384_2594323298924108517_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KqtbJevK6qsAX87NAAa&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCWQBZs30YAMYi0rwTIBxC5MTJFkdW25w0Bniy7fUibsQ&oe=65885672 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | Historical Hiccups | 637 | https://facebook.com/100084229586929 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55963 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 663816935961764 | 1 | 1.2971830276494E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 135633352965006 | 0 | DayHistory | 120207704767100456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702388963 | 1.3563335296501E+14 | DayHistory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410760066_3588620631380380_7463877603954114135_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rMVUIcYCjBwAX8O2vBl&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBiIE-5CgQgnidr3S94enAjrsMdZBgZC7xQp9huJfI3jg&oe=65893DDC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | DayHistory | 75 | https://facebook.com/61551577186144 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55976 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 198797749959607 | 1 | 3.3654094912721E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143587200670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374825 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409931223_994352648330470_7197681055236351739_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m_A60oqkdGkAX_W929S&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfA2yMeFyuc-9_81yaThVA4a9pRvNnQdU3iBIurA4mQq3g&oe=658875B3 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923208_3676753202595089_2417902061560605656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KclrvFpxdG8AX_wc2DT&_nc_oc=AQm9lphWnyzIR2e581IKSmenuOo3lRH9EJlYg3YHc8_4dRKT0ieqlrhbMfGn7tebQd0&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDrV7_nj6bruT4gvvDHrYAelJcz5Qkc7m61DN_WdPF6qw&oe=65876000 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55982 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 1015777499492942 | 1 | 1.0316188214447E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143456480670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374724 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410146628_2379615908914734_7668713125498965323_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r8cYrtf3p6wAX-lU83f&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBjV5BwifDbIuMCVY_2XNE6nrQXwmrvFGQg7Y_6STy9OA&oe=65892BDF | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406860425_714187950774251_3492046271533228982_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c8RrSDEDVnkAX-S1TQp&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfD8_WjJg4AoOE4_5bFsdIL9M1je1bTIgblYmCqYLsP75A&oe=65889F3D | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55984 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 1158810512171093 | 1 | 1.1306063545876E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143407230670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374869 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410014779_379927054519206_5292694150893772208_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6dZijNWeZ-wAX-fEGfn&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCcSasjdV5McljTMxQ2c5pO3Wg4oMDrcJAlKu-7i4mlfw&oe=6588D9BB | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409931148_1445089123108756_1309227242296795065_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JaUPzNA9AYYAX9OxYED&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB0TJDEw7PUV4oRc4K83UWOUTRrI2r0Q_Han2tFptmKqA&oe=65882094 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55985 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970724 | 65 | 1032629534670961 | 1 | 3.8047892779396E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205058033590427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702371220 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409835269_329655089859309_1186326318606245949_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UtaFZXXn6IgAX9XNhLm&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAQpBTC1EDXfsuEubKDhwwjudRc9G7kVgLP34cIAZuF4g&oe=6587B942 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409679935_333506989451016_8744721879542116488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZM_vD1HBbcEAX9t4gbT&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCbs6t_XN4X-KL5QMsdyoARGJ9jE61WhJhbrP-OHWFdHg&oe=6589269F | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56041 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970724 | 65 | 2283075768559642 | 2 | 6.2046944346265E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498192740278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287800 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410021916_1259050688099611_4095730994528209571_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y0jo9iOml60AX-EB9UO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfArHm06RcqkEVGF9L-1MU6bJ5ypph0eNOg0Ye9n4_Gz4w&oe=65876A1A | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410238612_716381780426364_2600732729949178814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r7AapqyEP2cAX8JtIGA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDq9BLRXeqX8jbNaqkQ36PAmVfJs58E5r0QE9VnbQyLZQ&oe=6587B52B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56044 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 862650988887812 | 1 | 1.2788335961373E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498184970278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287794 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406845557_734638518530534_9048535078287778600_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PquyKCxFpKQAX820BNL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCeza9bSIexFI0_TrKHXt-kOzFwwEwLRFqVPEDAB7Hjvw&oe=6588DC0F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408516034_1038470447485149_6722910769805071036_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aEnec2nZI-YAX9IO4WC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAoay-cQAOKtk3F3be2Hz7sfu_x0ovlXZAhZdGn3QKRag&oe=65885925 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56052 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 1790837594717501 | 7.3828715763484E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498171050278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287773 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409683218_993880831711090_6809761663754488305_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mx8wyb1_7YMAX-sVEyI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAAY_nZLZCVhCkacBTzs66J3zz_S-3useM8nYcbYj24eQ&oe=658799F2 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409827467_374221158531881_3157226512683060420_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=01Oq-vjpGbgAX8UBbsJ&_nc_oc=AQksxMN2NGx-tBRPOiTM8BylZ_uV-iV-ugrbV55FNzuO3WvInyGPX9LyoaZL_7xLoQNXGN1Omt9A4I_pWmF1UVye&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAgb1EgDSruw8F-bUSDmZzb3_kexGfCl9zpaQVQXm9AhQ&oe=6588E779 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56059 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 2703105383190360 | 3 | 1.7739747544135E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974529600427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287518 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409187940_223486370787830_4538062319520819290_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EzCrNU-S-hIAX_acCn0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGsy2I3QKw1T1kykzBJEtFMNmPg2KIuMof53etyG79lg&oe=65883E19 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409208553_1075133586825968_7513024662009184094_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WqMZSCsINt8AX9x1VGR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBrJbI4bcF6IcDOUYmpAOS0Rk-0r_rhRB3rQlOSnYwTDw&oe=65891F63 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56060 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 225104420622666 | 1 | 1.4554569353855E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974523770427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287515 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409208629_1405558853677370_6917994297025345982_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x9G-KjIW3kMAX_PSHJN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCv7nVv66HK7ymOvZOcRX8xj6_IZH1O9BFOC8JWP0sqCQ&oe=65879548 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410176097_875527577426291_6938110016756690382_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MnvyqypMSG0AX_pQen0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJp8lOnjCaeqa8NNDYfgJsCusBPKyE6WrRzAPwPaw-Pw&oe=6588897F | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56065 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 316228524585017 | 2 | 3.3376776531968E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974489550427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287497 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409548513_736123035088674_3865078046541670480_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BqOLpelRDYoAX9A8pGN&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCtqgQamOdaM5E7pIrVBXMNERblVXlcO8xnhUnHkKiM7A&oe=6588EBA8 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409663865_1077074143323302_7754359586513390816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-4RhRpmxHhUAX-5octs&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAnNEHbCIEFpn3N9qggIU3CbVONSzlCPOx3Ue838ZuLiQ&oe=65886983 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56083 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 301948702830255 | 2 | 1.2974651443052E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204871448970427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702210946 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408482931_764330618866970_7823296758371990993_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V2TgS1Ny7cEAX9tOMu5&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUPocu0M_J4yzAoG19huLvUNEJs70xjZGAOB39qlBYRg&oe=6587B6AA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406821834_1363812624523575_9134487377270511116_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TYJopfawI0EAX-dOXPt&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfADrFcPtUqHBRbsB3mUIqcGv29Fhpexw5c21rx76g1_lA&oe=658811BD | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56092 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 193407053844250 | 1 | 7.2348679603168E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259689560476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181099 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409302711_907734500321227_5948040262296100502_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EY942GaRdtMAX9jxwzl&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDcMm97N-a86Vuzi6h2pAJrSNP1eIWij_pYkXGtdCMUQ&oe=65882040 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408571604_1059610325350701_3425118269413578320_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-X_sRV3FW9gAX9A2b6d&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiUHz7_hnnUPS8w6gz2sOCVYIEg8dbFOF01QVzhvUMwA&oe=65880D88 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56107 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970725 | 65 | 1411052329762708 | 1 | 1.3072874533195E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259677570476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180882 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406935421_1067583227709266_5368835163769660075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3EalYyyE4kQAX83ml-U&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCVU7Wx1x9ldXtAbvVf72ewXtUXTECdk9QFwQmV9R2T5A&oe=65884C30 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407795879_222777260769365_6012512281919816326_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wGMJwe7bKw0AX_eyNlA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD5jZC-Y-UYocmjvakyUfu4DUMW_8qbloBfKVfxO-IvdA&oe=65883E6C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56126 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970725 | 65 | 350045384445458 | 3 | 7.455354941253E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753698620427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119691 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409563668_1546763279474478_2085297181050040151_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oF2oVYDnV7UAX9n0VZh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBRfjwcaRnAAGqTD6PgAMAhYnUiiMG0QO8j_oLTEODPQg&oe=65889C78 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409584060_778949423995189_37653775347606210_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zGjFS8riexAAX8vH2q_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCEkt6xRM-GWgw6-arLWSf__nI-mmVV96Mc30zTTmOe4w&oe=6587F15A | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56145 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 9:16 PM | 1703105777 | 1746929782 | 65 | 1075800646785235 | 1 | 3.3710949570439E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155397330476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094779 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408711179_369301612337847_4700172757778695167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v1vp3_eG7d0AX8sIG7W&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJUhajIFMZdiq0TE3qINeO1sX-2vBS4H7FLR8AKZUWTA&oe=6587DD0E | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408725057_660043902693311_754184201666264723_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0OBnJbRmZGUAX-VBKPc&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBcd04grwNNYI2qMwRz6w94jQBHqy1YLAss__EMkob0qg&oe=65886171 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56177 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970726 | 65 | 732332694951997 | 1 | 1.5100802665087E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672556380427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030431 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409090294_1574147526692306_5559160607071168624_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1gVuGZHMI-gAX9lWLCk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDDVb8WYQhHYW7FX7deBDjs9iCzusPDkseDKv3n7llETw&oe=65876B07 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409077294_652175363798634_1592640710652141670_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OaeY93BB8j4AX-cW8fO&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCsLGrF4lYRVX9aS5OJlhPSumYMojiZN9yKuWI__q4Byg&oe=65882E7A | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56185 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970726 | 65 | 723598023164635 | 1 | 1.3409754965641E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672506380427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030353 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407810311_3683803838545629_6409183199694955496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u11tGAwoVw8AX-V8iYT&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfD8gfizH7A1gmYHLjZGLgSXyBhhxYl7P45Et_W0EdqZlA&oe=6587C354 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983294_319327084239868_7055314771564913467_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5HHmAOAknCEAX-F-uNw&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfBqlJJU7SdwdAB6aLf4gARXWhsITJ4etWovvuE1MhfmSw&oe=65890E92 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56202 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970726 | 65 | 568387598810436 | 2 | 1.3190759987615E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074062700476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015974 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407751837_895919018719141_4047630715979597435_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G46nXvpvXLYAX_MwJlY&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfAVep8gkAFjYm9KaLHYZN11W2r3ufnXlwovIxWwJdYIwg&oe=65887E28 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407957553_306462615714158_7579344227298027671_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mGw7jXByQCMAX-BDm_S&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfD7w3prgnbuI6zXjrikveZQjg4axeXnzR3fhIaA9oPUFg&oe=65893FEA | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56214 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970726 | 65 | 7618741204822477 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074057930476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015923 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406772101_762433099237673_3373739273146062255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h1nELjdG6V0AX8pxj26&_nc_oc=AQmkjUGyESxVjyjG9pu3_hHtHqN52IEhsK08O1sWW0gXJMapYMm0V_cS1lXz0bh6YsfN-ZQ3yVitEaAyGXi7-pxj&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCBKt6jBVI2SetppHpw1dKISXL8QTZWBRaYJblsuqr_nQ&oe=65888B4D | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408419748_1484628842081363_540158276726758297_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0zuo1U5Bs9YAX8atn_M&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDoj3zXwizgnjslE0V-l7RpiYBBurKAjqFuS9kUzt0NqA&oe=65892C15 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56227 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970727 | 65 | 1997638023969642 | 1 | 3.6031028324497E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104237722649340 | 0 | Tee World B | 120202692924160594 | whisdecant.co | Shop now | NONE | image | Personalized Decanter - Perfect Gift | Limited Edition | https://whisdecant.co/products/joanna-13k2-d05 | 1702009557 | 1.0423772264934E+14 | Tee World B | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409173991_729604382421019_4345797857450886519_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dNtZcmxIMfwAX99MGg8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBkLO7Fhsd-cCLwLrHyBR5FzAvnZP-lHiG4210o4OOAHg&oe=65877FB1 | person_profile | 0 | Tee World B | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409205221_1009917526773196_5266148005267612300_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dimeq1IpylIAX_QTjbT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDI-GC36a6ONS3yCr9k_HgofoX1FipK2dCitgZawosvIw&oe=65893A80 | 0 | 3 | Personalized Decanter Set<br /> A Perfect Gift, A Unique Birthday Present, A Cool Appreciation Giftbox<br /> Special Edition ❤ <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwhisdecant.co%2Fproducts%2Fjoanna-13k2-d05&h=AT0FcohaguvDh3dhCAS1FYm_LBGJC66Ffqpl186GhIfXQvH2Bw1sUo9jtoWTcMjMblCkLP2wq6jodCArWI8JNlgOMzZ9BilXaxpti6ncZP0bm9kQO555iNga8zw7rU64BX5AVrqU5IGa1GXvRE-_0QdaqyNIxLVcfTeRuw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://whisdecant.co/products/joanna-13k2-d05</a> | Tee World B | 72 | https://facebook.com/100092418729180 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56231 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970727 | 65 | 817857870006973 | 2 | 3.236350370454E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 267863949928546 | 0 | iVvy | 120202757557290322 | ivvy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Victory Services Club | iVvy United States | iVvy United States | https://www.ivvy.com/customers/victory-services-club/ | 1700174211 | 2.6786394992855E+14 | iVvy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401849046_1242721673786393_3805145765424379519_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DAg22zyydT0AX8D3PcW&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnzzV_Ag25KP1z81Kpw2kAX5a37u5-Tid8Is7btZseEw&oe=65891B65 | person_profile | 0 | iVvy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401839212_673293668279250_8310546067399055090_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vn7_D3SSSYIAX_yk1sJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCypPCicv5U_y_-uZ9kkpE0g3rk8h4utGguGSvg146neQ&oe=6587F3FD | 0 | 3 | “We have become more efficient, and we save a lot of time. Everything is in one place and it captures everything we need.”<br /> <br /> “It’s very easy for organisers to go to our website and to make an enquiry and very easy for us to respond quickly within 24 hours. This speed and ease of use have definitely helped to increase the number of enquiries, and the speed and efficiency we have has impacted on the number of enquiries that we turn into confirmed bookings.”<br /> <br /> Joanna Lunn – Sales and Event Manager, Victory Services Club | iVvy | 3393 | https://facebook.com/iVvySoftware | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56240 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970727 | 65 | 1078340313600093 | 1 | 6.8036317428007E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6585777582009 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/los-angeles-spa | 1701966856 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408686372_1101244064584202_1633085338052783091_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fXUUaSF8NZkAX84OE5v&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBaNjh2QRWzy-ZbbxYPSpheD3BVLDWgOhL4XDX9N3z9DQ&oe=65887F5C | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407987077_2657987187693386_693067452736429596_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w3ZUJqhKoBQAX9vywVa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBaNikbSgGeJCKBsxfaSEtQVVIjKbpV97lMWsOsjBPfgA&oe=6588B24F | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56253 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970727 | 65 | 1087104999131710 | 1 | 1.4646446740799E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997421550476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940808 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408499217_2973646612765822_933439013044021529_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bQ4G5yokFqoAX9mRUST&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDUIPHnA4Jfo0Sk3T4ZhvAb5W6PTyu3gX_hmug6A6TOdw&oe=6588EF50 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407702517_396471286039300_3583923280924815154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SY4yTsYGLLYAX--lQh5&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB6Z_lZVhxzGeBf3mdRqSz4fKb72gcG35FegdmcNDPiYw&oe=6587DEE5 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56271 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 10:30 AM | 1703105778 | 1747755042 | 65 | 330227566469965 | 6 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997227310476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940567 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408559821_736161731718575_6214888025537716846_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZOcJ8dpRzn0AX8__ZEj&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA06_Cz2hxUa8Avd1WSvD3o4xnz2GayT7mAU2bctSqj4A&oe=6587A159 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408426490_677410297866101_8101439378871375041_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YfB5PxT6lhYAX_rgWTx&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAY8JccFeXxEYNEhzfxo4ffTnNWMNDE_ZQritXUC_SQjw&oe=6588163A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56261 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:04 PM | 1703105778 | 1723748686 | 65 | 1048669983003084 | 1 | 1.3194874920981E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997303020476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940680 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406783058_2211882215869559_3731462585837652148_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DuRKiqLlfEMAX-Z8FHr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCAYM1r4ocfn3si-TNPLePT2lxjRwXxYy3Zzqn-1CpWLQ&oe=6587CE24 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406793193_891636732361903_3820270384965802269_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ntEx-QLvUKMAX9FVbek&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCh_sraTgUoKHtH2ypmF2ZD8riroCyMEOBr1qBOZiRiRA&oe=65876006 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56305 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 5:03 PM | 1703105779 | 1746655418 | 65 | 1323128265063197 | 1 | 6.4941921060458E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458586920691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856167 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408518737_2032419567118665_7950275299229618099_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oktkGIX9iPcAX-S025d&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6rKPbwM-WqOu2YLgTawHGIg0PEs7IsZewocKmJZ9JOA&oe=658749CD | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408490841_984192432684786_1571421637965579074_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hMi47yMdNgoAX85LF6m&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB8vi4JslYHUby6Vpq0zY7NMktkVpAYex2FyaWSJ93xdg&oe=6587EB0D | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56303 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970727 | 65 | 1489085734989639 | 5 | 4.0040837231424E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201882111000476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856244 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721753_729042542445467_2830779637474001260_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LrKc6bO0GvEAX_grgz4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB7o7vdQC5nGQL3UpLLKu-ZiH173GJ5DUNjvlXFEvNTzQ&oe=6587C231 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407633697_1276593093003540_4964797814790128809_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FOGE4ZKHJzcAX_jlhbZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAf1zPwQvRd3z80oSW2XKEmEanysDHRgwdYFtzvRbfJ_w&oe=65888864 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56350 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/10/25, 9:15 AM | 1703105779 | 1749564955 | 65 | 1062107111462136 | 1 | 3.7386695508747E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104893872451761 | 0 | Sierra College Information Technology | 120202249277910296 | getskillstoday.com | Learn more | NONE | video | IT Certification | FREE Info Session | https://getskillstoday.com/ | 1701736545 | 1.0489387245176E+14 | Sierra College Information Technology | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407682442_235797299397474_5229925135778952897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ob0mMCtA75MAX-OCAaC&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBsRG1N6DPyVwzy879by3G8LnOPxGNxeS65IFFaLGbUew&oe=6587F30A | person_profile | 0 | Sierra College Information Tec | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407648211_708217427906797_2919265524067672_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fTTTykpY7s8AX8Q_ihh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPA6ZDUFdF8vulpjMf3-6OUoDKuwEbNobXHEwf0zWyqg&oe=6588A520 | 0 | 3 | Level up your IT skills at Sierra College! Join our Jan 22nd program for continuing education. | Sierra College Information Technology | 21 | https://facebook.com/SCITDept | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56315 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970727 | 65 | 1082936856195085 | 1 | 1.0426053701219E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881932660476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856019 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407699088_859558099200235_3264551954350008113_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_nlbxs7PvtYAX-gKsHy&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBH_zHygVyT_e4cXaNGTGF6XmvoPoCnidkzZwvvC65g4g&oe=658926D9 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407950029_673747081410249_4314441387656105027_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6oBGWa0CruwAX8MJ2gX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA8Tj_499sf94l2g8LqzkEvTSYebZwE4S5tYJOuyTSrvA&oe=65886A47 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56339 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/12/25, 5:40 AM | 1703105779 | 1749724841 | 65 | 1026426651920408 | 1 | 2.3986183897785E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 308901506171176 | 0 | Luluna Slings | 6522513133901 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/luluna.slings | 1701776999 | 3.0890150617118E+14 | Luluna Slings | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406685526_1769352036811991_304415850053399195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CR2Z-pTroWsAX8_qoJM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDO6VniHG37Ddo3AkzcOi9MFKy3uSr6j1HINAoKyr1_Wg&oe=658827BD | person_profile | 0 | Luluna Slings: babywearing & woven wraps | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406686718_1433959500485974_6894858032168353253_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6d1d-yTY1wAAX_qOmYI&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAzQ_lw84h0Y4VWPYFqf1MplI43PcQyJ_q4sn1q7c7JSQ&oe=6588E7B9 | 0 | 3 | 🐺 DRAW TO PURCHASE 🐺 <br /> Saint Nicholas' Day FREE SHIPPING <br /> <br /> GEO WOLF MOONLIGHT<br /> 100% combed cotton, approx. 270 gsm<br /> <br /> Wolves Lovers,<br /> It's been long time when last Geo Wolf was here! Very long time! So now we want you remind about this beautiful pattern! Please welcome new Geo Wolf Moonlight ♥ It comes from the depths of space and it is looking for a new loving home! Do you know that there is a constellation called the Wolf? From Latin they call it "Lupus" and it is located in the deep Southern Sky! This pattern is simple beautiful. <br /> The Wolf Moonlight is very strong and durable because of high quality combed cotton. It is equally cuddly and soft at the same time. Amazing shades of black looks very magical like black night - just like the sky in the night full of shiny... Wolves! <br /> <br /> Available:<br /> s7 (5,2m) for €119<br /> s6 (4,6m) for €114<br /> s5 (4,2m) for €109<br /> s4 (3,6m) for €104<br /> s3 (3,2m) for €99<br /> scarf (2,0m) for €84<br /> <br /> Everyone who wants to purchase a wrap, please email us at lulunaslings@gmail.com <br /> Remember to include the size of the wrap you’d like to buy and of course your PayPal address! <br /> If you don't have PayPal please add info that you want to pay via bank transfer / credit card. <br /> The draw lasts until December 6th and we will send a message to happy winners about 10 a.m. CET.<br /> You have 1h to make a payment once you receive invoice from us.<br /> If you are outside Europe please let us know the country. Because of time difference we will give you more time to pay.<br /> Because we celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day 6th December there is free shipping for you as gift ♥<br /> <br /> Luluna <br /> <br /> (c) Luluna Slings (c) Joanna Weyna<br /> <br /> #wolfteam #babywearing #wolf #wild #winter #december #motherhood #babygirl #motheranddaughter #baby #babysling #babywearingmama #babywearingmatters #love #family #parenting | Luluna Slings | 50486 | https://facebook.com/lulunaslings | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56348 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970728 | 65 | 345869524818825 | 4 | 1.8125626292586E+15 | 1701936000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 131920553340233 | 0 | Family Gift 13 | 120201671484290403 | myfamily-gifts.com | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | The best gift for loved ones | https://myfamily-gifts.com/joanna-db09 | 1701748917 | 1.3192055334023E+14 | Family Gift 13 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408216103_332322879428213_9193540902136850592_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N-Myg583ZW4AX9lxey7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBIj0stMMpjR4PdSElrfTMc3OVEYjQW9BmMXN0bx3oMXQ&oe=65879F37 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Find your perfect, thoughtful gift here!<br /> Order now: >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamily-gifts.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT1vbJZlKnl81B6nMXHVIYmgB3sSdsPa0JGUNe5pC-OCApRDXcLmfxppoJhHqap_qDT6TSQxdZgXcvmazf6KE_d9tUFGK3BH7IFesS2QzTj8XThlFxOFsct7Wx_SrGBqEIknaNuJ8hyVtGYGwy246duFEfA1iOMtkrY6E33NmOvQfRq1qAo" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://myfamily-gifts.com/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift 13 | 16 | https://facebook.com/61551888543646 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56354 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970728 | 65 | 904903781348132 | 1 | 3.4373143804611E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 995107887233488 | 0 | Boulevard | 23861514807420575 | joinblvd.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Salon Owners: Meet Boulevard | Get your demo now | https://get.joinblvd.com/salons-paid-social/ | 1697671074 | 9.9510788723349E+14 | Boulevard | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391646417_567014512222830_8375852360221290242_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cc-bjv_vRvkAX8igYFJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDse4mDtN2Ckj_EjgKVV_a57oqpdUqM9NAqg-H5LxJfoQ&oe=6588FA7B | person_profile | 0 | Boulevard | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391657229_2326477697561005_2788320494332299720_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C9NlH8Xyv2wAX_SRNZj&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLiTbIVDiVqcTkCaY6ym38-iYZwSoGdB1bmSYbBz7NZA&oe=65892ED8 | 0 | 3 | "Boulevard is the Apple of Salon Software." - Michael D., COO, Joanna Vargas | Boulevard | 2478 | https://facebook.com/joinblvd | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56364 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/11/25, 1:47 PM | 1703105779 | 1749667627 | 65 | 363057319466708 | 4 | 6.5157521705526E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6435441794 | 0 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 6497352755725 | stjude.org | Donate now | NONE | video | Join Chip and Joanna | https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N575301.1960500FACEBOOKAD/B26074128.328369140;dc_trk_aid=520452087;dc_trk_cid=205855480;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;ltd=;dc_tdv=1 | 1701700409 | 6435441794 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407470751_1301898623847369_4596250717816495994_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ced02aMag5AAX9jb1rV&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBTUUybpWwkN5QR5oZW7-axbqYXd8M5OO5COnDKok4ztQ&oe=65882A9C | person_profile | 0 | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407480083_369310562146743_7466777339284087482_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eg03qyhZcasAX8oe0jJ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCuAz0zNfnni0WuBQiZW_WPaTZgiQ_btrzN1jQCjBqrVw&oe=6588B677 | 0 | 3 | The best gifts keep giving. Donate to help the kids of St. Jude today. | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 2821917 | https://facebook.com/stjude | 0 | DONATE_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56389 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/7/25, 11:18 PM | 1703105780 | 1751948302 | 65 | 736732098362401 | 1 | 3.6428471626971E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100985606153947 | 0 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 120202284905470275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666432 | 1.0098560615395E+14 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406504783_598901465695023_7188852270343766811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ybuNZ3zOfdEAX8fvipN&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBrEbVtdlYnonyit8d_CnuhJNLzhrLAT0jfeV2XO1nfQ&oe=658805D4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 393 | https://facebook.com/domesticatedcompanion.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56387 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970728 | 65 | 1537906566962042 | 10 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202285188120275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666727 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408128348_600131065544643_4644957555492315544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7GuEHD1MiIkAX8F4fNm&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBO04rQDTiSRCcCVCgAY-4hmm2G9LzsAgw_VVzqJ8yjBA&oe=65882B64 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56381 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/18/25, 1:18 PM | 1703105780 | 1750270712 | 65 | 734622588696629 | 2 | 1.5123013262127E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100416769039566 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 120202285830460275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667516 | 1.0041676903957E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407651007_654968866834235_424919544243847536_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kspbBGHvScMAX9Qlxie&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAATxutJlpUvF6TVL3VC_wQBVnKKkSxnbmHU3E7UJQLPw&oe=658775AA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 5454 | https://facebook.com/lifestylea2z.spanish | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56401 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970728 | 65 | 1091842358919814 | 1 | 1.3891942020322E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109089991869818 | 0 | Oasis Heating & Air Conditioning | 120201060505280167 | app.oasisheatingandac.com | Get quote | NONE | image | Satisfaction & Price Match Guarantee | Schedule your FREE estimate today! | https://app.oasisheatingandac.com/ | 1701590718 | 1.0908999186982E+14 | Oasis Heating & Air Conditioning | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407462838_730181878550275_5634595488799533765_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=opGGEIzcmjoAX9C0VQ4&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCCUBuMOb4zT_DLVqK2ko0qKinCom7e3XB9ZOwJlHJBbg&oe=65891594 | person_profile | 0 | Oasis Heating & Air Conditioning | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407732602_727832462147217_3043005760940651426_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nYT20ExGfWwAX-Ooet0&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBXN2xf2kiQyQJARHjhkaEMMKw_mU4LtZuyRaLtC6noFA&oe=65877636 | 0 | 3 | 🌟 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗩𝗔𝗖 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! 🌟<br /> <br /> At Oasis Heating & Air Conditioning, we check all the boxes homeowners are looking for:<br /> <br /> ✅ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 & 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Our certified technicians deliver top-notch service.<br /> ✅ 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: We offer the best value for your HVAC needs and will match or beat our competitors' prices.<br /> ✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: We offer a range of solutions tailored to your home.<br /> ✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 & 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Expect friendly and prompt assistance.<br /> ✅ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀: Peace of mind with our 10-year parts & labor warranty.<br /> ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆-𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Stay comfortable, conserve energy, and save money.<br /> ✅ 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: We'll guide you through every step of the process.<br /> <br /> Don't settle for anything less! <br /> Tap "Get Quote" or call Oasis at (760) 891-9871 | Oasis Heating & Air Conditioning | 130 | https://facebook.com/oasisheatingandac | 0 | GET_QUOTE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56399 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970728 | 65 | 1416575635869607 | 1 | 3.1184178478955E+14 | 1701936000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 113745823383431 | 0 | kimberley.joanna | 120201371877100249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/kimberley.joanna | 1701617032 | 1.1374582338343E+14 | kimberley.joanna | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/309066088_1267147980687113_3769485699294236454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=yvhyzbH-2Y8AX9BFWps&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfABtpebfRO0U8BhN_tgBXEguOMOSaovaHFtHdvB-mVAJQ&oe=65878C8F | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Kimberley Joanna | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721628_658939412793076_8453942545159992971_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wg8E3gt4rhUAX-55RnC&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfC437GamesB87jLTrDhe5QHpYTbJhOpGtP3DvX2-LLjhw&oe=6587B78D | 0 | 3 | I am very exited to guest at @sous.berlin and have some time left, send me a dm or email if you want a tattoo ✨ | kimberley.joanna | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/kimberley.joanna | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56415 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 5:54 PM | 1703105780 | 1747090499 | 65 | 255241390600552 | 2 | 3.6835281908598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 87429818855 | 0 | Crown Publishing | 6486607138256 | penguinrandomhouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | THE HOME EDIT: STAY ORGANIZED | NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the authors of The Home Edit and The Home Edit Life and hosts of the Netflix series Get Organized with The Home Edit, comes a guide to the most important phase of... | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727270/the-home-edit-stay-organized-by-clea-shearer-and-joanna-teplin/?ref=PRH945C4E7979D8&aid=18480&linkid=PRH945C4E7979D8 | 1701441162 | 87429818855 | Crown Publishing | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407260848_321676014143610_1894679595171504544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ud2HIeS3RYAX9Esgfm&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBvA0AwF2mET3NOLjA2IgAfXWMURxDrR3LjXr33SZLxhw&oe=6587942A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick | Crown Publishing | 71995 | https://facebook.com/CrownPublishing | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56444 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970729 | 65 | 888057916351121 | 1 | 3.8342696745693E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200728260450540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701401854 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406710289_370921228763319_5626023537238933112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cXRx8ZaxZ3cAX8moiyV&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkzULRpKeaB6BZNH3SD3dnzYxlNka_5WlNS9t2Udhyqw&oe=658788B8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406666488_1749719895505140_1655518798370371028_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IIZali7MDBoAX89lHHu&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBZN_a4qfDoTj9Cf8FVERaeIkaJX8ZlrJUlW1a6T2Oyiw&oe=6587AF4B | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56456 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/22/25, 3:29 PM | 1703105780 | 1750624195 | 65 | 321001784045660 | 2 | 6.6329897588573E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497701440404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357850 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406646128_1053790169040507_7509356515946298230_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CUufolMfmeAAX-WhsVH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDFvHRwpTrqDbmFzzNrz3qBU7cHKmhNwieGpqlT7__wqQ&oe=6588D942 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406654766_249487224556689_8317548710258892450_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MR8-X_1c8n4AX-QrZki&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2tmS6xVMO0ZW_T2w9E_anSVp8E0gVi0xJ0OSTSXfOAg&oe=6589326E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56460 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970729 | 65 | 1776819452758862 | 2 | 1.4054883300456E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497698780404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357850 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406929659_876015570669430_685685864040164370_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XQQc69epKhkAX-Nxmp_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfApVvqM_0-Saup6kgyKTl8FQSZSISQomBORKlblZPyf1g&oe=6587887D | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399287870_1397439617796154_728012271251993847_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IT50Bq9Pl1YAX81pOYD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCYp3r2lL-ijEDRD5kThecdFvqBuASqcFE29Fxrh2aO-A&oe=65889B56 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56476 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 332764649456292 | 2 | 1.6770116560793E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103144986091260 | 0 | CMG Daily-Choices US | 120201748379280520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332836 | 1.0314498609126E+14 | CMG Daily-Choices US | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404825151_1408475013358708_116570649198376333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YQsdx8sWbFMAX_FOkz_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnS_3nxy1BCESA8CxdWr5Y818rLr3i3ONDRHiu2_MEtg&oe=65888DE8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Daily-Choices US | 98 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailychoices.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56475 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 4376308229176529 | 8.188272099976E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120201748383690520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332812 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405390833_888997342434563_8246198101575598990_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vNo8JLfTdV8AX_J9pyl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDF25gSK_teoPrz0A-3xvjTIFGVUWr11oIWgWcQGigYgg&oe=65891384 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56480 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 1541721489897382 | 2 | 1.4606147511788E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734150226 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256550 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406343908_1134392147944016_4234719754953010691_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ju1sxm60WR4AX-NuuZf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDX_tdxE1vxNiaEKG-Ep7FPmqbTufGkKwJcTrbf5ouJqg&oe=6588355B | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406308587_886782999505055_9028752171764655065_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rgfcEBkPT9cAX-ZK2zE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCO1e1MUuKbNhFpNFb8zy346wkoIYMBctZsguckG80T_Q&oe=65882107 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56502 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 868219551620399 | 1 | 4.1474014755746E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203115910110294 | m.dreame.com | Download | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | https://m.dreame.com/novel/1800871680?auto_jump=true&utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_prt=risingtechnolog&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701257163 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406545132_260807433648473_6769611892805636347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a8WYgquaRsgAX-Jc0Mc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBK-rtRxZD2Sz_N9NwhvJTb9ZFrUTo7kHyYwjqKMAxvxw&oe=6588758D | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406580924_1069615477804716_5889704941727600103_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RdSC0N7MLl8AX9GD1iJ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqqM0sWuQwpQaXEhGMhDK8RfneTjVKD7FWHHpkinkkbQ&oe=65891967 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56513 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 1827092104391810 | 8.188272099976E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202102927090728 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250806 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406108159_6782702041817975_396943637497948136_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZefbTzadVxYAX82HN3J&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBRLJxnL0DBNmaG6L1EF6YeETXiiKa73YjrT_I5-9U11Q&oe=6588C5BF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56512 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 372132411841510 | 5 | 8.188272099976E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202064925940319 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250805 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406375987_1274332369903776_8361207424606508038_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBXjxrV2fLkAX8JUDdQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0RidmwhkzzLD8zeeCCS2EaV3BprkavNFEqo1t2sXTkQ&oe=65876623 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56528 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970730 | 65 | 884568322957522 | 1 | 3.3575495345379E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748988190115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227809 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406594106_848593066953917_7850566064947360534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vHbfMKgA2_AAX8hr1AZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCm5KTGw8Qp3Xnu6KYGLi-q799tk9VYF_F-y-0fnxtXUg&oe=65883F76 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405449961_1054594925689852_8102008511814973297_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H9a9rly8hYcAX_FZw2G&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA7IlQYx0cVXps18xndQDsRziJZN29-UD6elxobIDEjfQ&oe=6588D461 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56575 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970730 | 65 | 1207678080188820 | 1 | 6.6964388834444E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300652000596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151707 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406685270_370383512187227_2763101240845560232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5y3V5TdALiIAX9NCy13&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAEtm2PFUn8Wmu5w2phCloKC2H-2gyQBWvTvL-6J57O9g&oe=65875E89 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406686279_326320330347411_5820589010225790498_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6exLWwKxpIAAX9XgO-z&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAgvtef_PblPaSDWtoYv1oxrsw9_WJlx8lZcnmxMeyivw&oe=65884651 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56572 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:02 PM | 1703105782 | 1723752140 | 65 | 1018963519210248 | 1 | 2.8544993782379E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300651210596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151638 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406256728_2285645704978859_4696435774423076637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g9FUFeH2Nl8AX9FDMd6&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA6L2IMt8ETI2ueLCvj7LKJcgKhA5EXOKXJEfUZCM11Jg&oe=65885E10 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406332179_1549064142529138_5770979680497344248_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jhsh2N9BVSgAX9zqs8F&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfApM97sFvFGy3bVbOyVpSGEfeBBqdWARGdbVv6cENlTYw&oe=6587AC02 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56593 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 1424491798463940 | 2 | 7.6574355199366E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715940560115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140275 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405713688_721031922887895_2053006576693077080_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XeFsZTTLurAAX8LqSJR&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfATeNUGz1AX-n9lk4nuPrCn4jr82Vv2JObPvo7X8D_FIw&oe=6588FDAB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404723623_367644128993122_8602128942322210005_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Si5BvyaZ7FYAX-5PlcJ&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCELz3hznlqP2ymE0NWg_5ouEvpfanbVOKI10NOQjnLEw&oe=65885FE3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56595 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 881678080135575 | 1 | 1.0463122733572E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715939810115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140272 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406678297_731336848888914_1829334589414550180_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ztJaiER2ZWsAX-0MBtz&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD6OxyUWcP-Y5pg2fqdRC6b9T80qtd8drara1lbPMSdbQ&oe=658918C7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406661784_726539046046027_699752164234857861_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HXT0dn_PWqwAX_vDoBw&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDS6N4Z2P18uc_ejri1B4pRu4FpIqtna0GLUuMjmEYOJQ&oe=6587EEE0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56597 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 1334662847182490 | 1 | 8.8127853671526E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715937760115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140266 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406648536_6858794507533664_6415151710192441771_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4Dg3eNcliJoAX-wZfy3&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCREwQLKWcZtuPv2VNjoVqwv7ek6jkh0Zf5ewnVt6NC3A&oe=65879D59 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406670562_320803414066473_7829096292855378594_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FjrEi1G0YgIAX9qGdbc&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDEZJ3yZR64neCF425yC2bEXtSMUH3LzwDJwT0dvkTMHw&oe=6588E85F | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56602 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 1428748928067171 | 1 | 8.7355794109413E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715936390115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140261 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405751741_365725172481640_4088704770646133270_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b7ytiwK1djYAX9I-Peu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_v-Oi9AqRAfg3O5HZ4gz_nwMEv-_hnmIXyLZq703uWg&oe=65885554 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406117843_3321052964783865_4664793659501173374_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LN10bn6aDKUAX8xyv5c&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVVj1t-PjyTd2jaJiw2ojRuf7p0Lo4_G556VhR1543gA&oe=6588C7A1 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56598 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 655392620086896 | 2 | 3.1631636458366E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715937790115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140278 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404665451_260305163360603_8634207333134643865_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LYjIqajgEK8AX-jGjEH&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBaP3etINr-GUZHbt6t1E8z2sikzTjH3NQdlTnxc-ryKw&oe=6588119C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404715689_1694212754401860_5353087978072687981_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f8AdCMUxLXUAX-rWqPO&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBNpn6ecrGcO5wJFp1Og3_NzJWMqV6FOewBIZlCdc_cJQ&oe=6588E3D0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56604 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 906329664343282 | 1 | 3.5572778044865E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715935880115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140258 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404831996_842756370963640_7860257576258105716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RD7GXnv1XbQAX9W5dMH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBxZ8rVvMHopBrgNSDZhBNu4NYdVzr71IHNgI5V6g0Hwg&oe=6588422C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404639427_1107475537284657_3432853019447556969_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qu6_Rj1bC78AX-Z14gR&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUgaT6z-Al8qvgMVyGV9HUPKMY9zhmVt2J3q3XVLbZBw&oe=6588057B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56626 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 222113520903324 | 1 | 1.0166373029515E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281157840596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068358 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405772207_321894520602036_236165593805155255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PFXVVgrLhT8AX8OcFUC&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDahmLX4USCmi1lKmAU5aeUoWbyReGic7QUsW1-OUfNiQ&oe=6587725D | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406280181_1670123856814895_3652838467864860166_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=28wMEcl_0jQAX9WcJLk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2KTcwiC_eOeJZa-l3RF9pqaoREJ6RlmVOXYMBxMeoXQ&oe=6587FCCA | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56636 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 723044109701314 | 3.0682463877523E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690730210115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055902 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406009110_365901022677545_563052575676818079_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DF5KIxXWx48AX_GtnHM&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfApsFcTkbHGj5WyUOpbkf2iSQE9tbtSB1nkr7TpzXRR-Q&oe=65893097 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406034563_882439036814840_3284820353460938325_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9p1V_A0aARwAX8s4f_3&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD27cz5K58hGG8-riW648bBvsafr5-4Q3KsoN3dPaA2uA&oe=65883A14 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56639 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970731 | 65 | 671923635045583 | 1 | 1.5440198896779E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690718970115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055871 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403763030_203928159354117_7416729986675207644_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDV5lrS_WbQAX-U-rlQ&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBCB3oIjbbhf5wYnHZCZXtxmpmsNJr9rj0AqshybY9Kkw&oe=65886037 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403745604_7150511091660496_8494212301141916267_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BKzPcrmzSbYAX8D3Fzs&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCleYrv_TCPZLEdnUsDXOcNguYG74EXWExYEnBpE6ZdEw&oe=6589102E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56663 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970731 | 65 | 2019105711796144 | 2 | 3.7060547197791E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281138280596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068298 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406302040_753014236649177_3712619355483223777_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nb11elW3qucAX_fIyr1&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDqnNUW6mpjl3uzxM6lvdUVmDE_1ZMee0MjfBHFuh-16g&oe=6588DAE6 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406302765_368546978996463_876759678928440625_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S8y0ReP3s9YAX8ewXLD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCzYbxvzdxq3ltY4l-RdME6PB2VFBSeJHtrCCfRPL5k2A&oe=6587866E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56669 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970731 | 65 | 655290476791297 | 8.7190420110368E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433250740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking Silence: Joanna Gaines Shares Her Voice with the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806365 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403725142_876662020747283_1763228178117892502_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8YFjewkjYkAX9kIZtZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCfcuL4VCdIq4IdKR_nzjzPljRIP38Of7jpbX9nt4oR7g&oe=658907FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long Kept Secret: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband as Behind-the-Scenes Show Drama Unveils. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56668 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 159687873898178 | 4 | 8.7190420110368E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145418420740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking Silence: Joanna Gaines Shares Her Voice with the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806344 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404591673_1427873564754539_72644179127480439_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VRk8xgBr0D0AX87ahsN&_nc_oc=AQmS_kMqaJTP9XAjmjCwgIYuIxZPk85VQNaR_TvSzT8JtAVksbDSUHMDxrYqKx7b5TU&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCP93Afmzr0zccjYAtF5l8LHdWWmC0riTC7_R0jXpiwFw&oe=65884BCB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long Kept Secret: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband as Behind-the-Scenes Show Drama Unveils. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56675 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 2092736834412371 | 5.7974953763093E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433180740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | World Exclusive: Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence for the First Time. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806365 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403105330_896790692063636_1676512468964830182_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YY_s-97c1xEAX8BfzmR&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcDdKheBjcuvfCmtNXEznGz-go-C5zSu3IMsDPFhAWnQ&oe=65889E76 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Untold Story: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband, Spilling Behind-the-Scenes Show Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56681 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1331513304154684 | 1.0142185298623E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433280740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Opens Up, Breaking Her Silence Before the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806368 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404599841_889874839188162_3878948551838351048_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GLatpjB1BGEAX_ZF9Y8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCRqmZNKT9eHltMaTWaLln2yo4hKc5sbsf3_S_3v0h2Ig&oe=6588C6CB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long-Hidden Truths: Joanna Reveals Husband's Story and Behind-the-Scenes Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56682 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1003107397467106 | 4 | 3.764241743862E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145382420740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Speaks Out to the World Breaking Her Silence. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806339 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619811_170204919511898_587871113483397454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ksPEisl0dsIAX8LU2GA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAfYw6ZMmSSt5zPwU_71NI1oZM7qGVsLyRFasd_PFgThQ&oe=6588AEB0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers Hid This for Years, Now Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband and Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Show Ending. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56688 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 366932875802667 | 6 | 2.4725411142976E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495769223556 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700488723 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403604594_706496401407873_3386959245189523628_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fd7TmYzDhhIAX8L7p1d&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBSIWxYp1OE7UoQY-2hwdCBBZu2mt3ZdUttrWUNkNbTmQ&oe=6587BF9B | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403603740_3617283778488076_2538065533749317892_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oQTvuzwoEdEAX-eBuc0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwPVyeRkFmiw4bfX3CkOXT3taukSPlXWXP6Evrr-JDgg&oe=65889989 | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56696 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 641668911483080 | 1 | 3.6491045605415E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674069060115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969820 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405806240_380616421082968_4146803536154544553_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FnHiNW5C0VAAX8OgMjj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAYF15tfKxOLDMyCmP4ftFOc-HRatDm2ae4wMiJ9_3l6Q&oe=6587752E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405828375_296415509375532_8651346304366657600_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=esPkzeLmcQYAX9X8ymp&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPw9B0i6Gmzjj86EYlgxlmy3O-0zteh39w_MwTCtMWfg&oe=6587A1E3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56711 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1293863108026644 | 1 | 1.6535964084161E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104032362672695 | 0 | CMG DailyStuff US | 23862140090220046 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1700975051 | 1.040323626727E+14 | CMG DailyStuff US | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404688593_258535100214274_3149205172489956487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8Tvhg3n_FY8AX_zE4on&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxiLgzAYb5Rz9D9CeKQ2Vj6GGTP_eHpJtxvAxDbKGZrQ&oe=65882B50 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG DailyStuff US | 87 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailystuff.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56749 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970732 | 65 | 3186078641684612 | 2 | 6.8210268406386E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632254610115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796808 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405043148_246244941548877_3806228419109270462_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yE27anVceWYAX9loctE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAXrfZ8JIQ-OSaa7ZLFV4n82Qjo9ui9U2ZGo-Qgkzf-zw&oe=6588A9EB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405112362_866916134812193_5875379319908762567_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HyxRPEI9nXYAX-1ljpW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAprAUE_xyqgFTIGSPrb1RA3hhxD3jVZodUcdvhuZUGcA&oe=6588756D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56772 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1396853227922813 | 2 | 6.6329897588573E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220434130404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582713 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403776286_1516091885854084_7968615952347184623_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yHqvt1tD150AX_JzMkL&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD343F7U4axXxxrfPcbrwAE-T8EVJHf3-de0L_oE7v_qQ&oe=65886022 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403107272_320649940721072_5660637607183300809_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CMVv33F9aeYAX86klCp&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvaRCnuNG2P6cO5DZi24hCIJJh-rHlUc5VuINEtdPHAw&oe=6587816A | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56823 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/31/25, 8:41 AM | 1703105784 | 1743428500 | 65 | 382934907646846 | 7 | 1.297378697477E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495714867956 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 40-50% OFF | Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates | Start your New Year off with Wisdom. | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700485661 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKayuX-3JXIAX-Vv_7R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1FkVs7-o6DlSZiE05y9Vbk52SOlY1L1fF0WGby2iRgw&oe=6587F304 | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iIzwmS9EthQAX9kBnak&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDT9KM_3Lz_0oHSpkOlxL6To2SIHoMaCmhE_YJ6NmI5oA&oe=6587627A | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56778 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1302154900487610 | 1 | 8.9809143833631E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220450720404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582574 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402645137_289651847388577_2158257847718234534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mtx8ZoeN_UYAX9eZOsI&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBo94D44Jb43VPTwJNqnek9CVp8yaeYN8BDH1kxiRuIuQ&oe=65892E07 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402648736_200657696417602_7775963450332197283_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1C1NFPemjLMAX-je8Td&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAJyOyfEfoD7cO_oW2xt5Uo2XJ4S4g6W2IGZ7d-PgLGWw&oe=65876D66 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56777 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970732 | 65 | 1017719485949542 | 2 | 8.9426444209880E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220420620404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582685 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404306066_1365392824403576_6716566899399313455_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HWFVrOU0wEkAX9YMrvx&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBB9Fv4s1VmfSt-1ejT0KYCtamXw2czJziUiViJJTt2dQ&oe=658894F3 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402931193_3201983306770084_4816492469590035783_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=meCbRlT7w1UAX_0xGlq&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBrS0orKUoAAvU8DFJDEqhEEd6dUszuG-gpk-5d94hN6w&oe=6588B6C8 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56773 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970733 | 65 | 362230402993556 | 2 | 1.3867805722157E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220419920404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582693 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402657308_1797662040670054_6019087261124168803_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9ubKG5NSy-AAX_tkMgD&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXV-wYrzvzL3FyODHvLqPy7mAQkyTvTR32N4H1ipmjWQ&oe=65893B25 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402660316_197377533414434_4920082074376679662_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E7SFP6wfyk0AX-plF_H&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfEv08ZxRYZGpr90jFkNUoGwIkXaRoGd6I7OyZpWI7BA&oe=6588EB8E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56807 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970733 | 65 | 888135576364057 | 1 | 8.8001227349455E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632030590115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796606 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404591053_1526655918133624_1165078224425170803_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X5BVzqWEm80AX8unx47&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxYPBbDWgEkkewnVuBSGkynql11pIvvmJ47403faScHw&oe=6587C888 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405532858_3678008879107458_2154513740814359256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S4TBs16kQUgAX_VVYJe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAUxjoGaAmn28bpoQr3drxQ5dGgYqV3f7M3G_2mc2Gm3g&oe=6587B256 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56816 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970733 | 65 | 863984105226979 | 1 | 8.5836888910345E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200341095670122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/n2ubobd0mpzo0eypph03lps0?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700807836 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404939041_689493183157059_4106909989403566302_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NtZoGvtrpaYAX-EpdAS&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBlxqwsJeqoEYgASuy7gRCLAxB7TGCc_Pb0SpDLYm12Xw&oe=6587BD15 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405521861_1736210930214672_3359399069699073211_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vGO8RrmTSSUAX_TqPpM&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfANsxABAP8EgMbdgzI_e4WeYLpaCOtOCm4N9ouhtSB6qQ&oe=6588BF51 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56836 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 326736486773579 | 1 | 6.697238653171E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611898000115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722976 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403856108_3469760076670116_261194245149952802_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pcTHyTEsAncAX-79u_e&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBtU8-EpnJ4waZg_Uk6eAlOw_C5o7yXSFdFerfqoLJXeA&oe=65892BE8 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403735765_889272402725234_208945437340467263_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2uRBfJsAntIAX-2Rr-I&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDsndzQcOKV4Od4hRPJqUg7KEJjGCKfrh_uyULqFV9lwQ&oe=6589001D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56838 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 387478733612300 | 2 | 8.9649315869461E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611863090115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722796 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405076421_1646396165890220_1076726533186617473_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U9fvsI-0i4wAX_wNz85&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCoYmqixaiKWJCgg-w8lbo6kDrj5G2YM4tVbxqoAbY43w&oe=65878C5E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403722341_724968396169399_4064326304938847191_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ztyVLAD1-SoAX9s3bik&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBqeW3grN5zD3RPVpGyyMkGlqBJY47NcQH6Mzm_HErlsg&oe=65889C63 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56850 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 907037144485587 | 1 | 1.4897908418775E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201208029740403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724771 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403685220_1479067862654336_7207391642747583253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IIRzm03ilDQAX_kyBYb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAZPZGlIxkk7BvCQblDMwDH7X6YxpCHqluY68KgePgLSA&oe=658784F8 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403615370_1051174795922585_2561971157327719483_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=unItQyzGO3EAX9r4els&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeB2dCdu_jpdvwlDUbjmfgVwqMCp1QoL1YK6Z3jPa0aw&oe=6588E059 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56855 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 1099115381457165 | 5 | 2.6441433323993E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207693070403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724099 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405508451_876031050792263_9011447128972709351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rLz8VMxn8LoAX_dA5l6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBiOrxQHaLCZby0y3KWlvupXL_Hb-2N5srDNOw5jTbIDQ&oe=65882B99 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405521597_310789751882133_7798994383682685413_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FXTlH8ASL48AX-pzZO-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-5VamWflhu9aXnONx5V0Tq3JBUCn7d4AvhtJQkVdknQ&oe=65885139 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55927 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/15/25, 8:55 AM | 1703105775 | 1744725339 | 65 | 1046331433347930 | 4 | 8.2245211630123E+14 | 1702454400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120202179893230431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702417472 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX80K3T6&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBhuZ1Ftm1Q-ipgTrEv6u3MED6-xSG9sedBcDf3dJdiLQ&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409781629_1005429260758384_5153527042778145028_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O8FHk27NFCEAX-spWEQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBe3Jh6O4mxAGVaP9jYFwRITb83IINz4bpTyzeOn6brTA&oe=65886E62 | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, represented by a gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56859 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 1432924697264098 | 1 | 1.0804549700544E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611857380115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722752 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405508582_2452664074915700_3692324667612825909_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DPXQzBxrk04AX-i-Zee&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpjr4qgIrOFHTpstxNyY-PA8PXc_KTkyb6bb7TB2vZjQ&oe=6588BCCF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405502630_7028081143909683_6352232828341024807_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jKf2reSD5p8AX-y23jl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCOUtIAaz-EpT0s-tzTPqWgXCBwGKDoVlhIV5psKLMrBg&oe=658817D0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56863 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 2093691727645916 | 2 | 3.5351912055989E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611857040115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722746 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404649893_1077680826735265_3969377666054807729_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GddgP704txMAX-2q-Wz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpRhEj2I2d7a5KeOlQySAh7NQgFw0qW6pQco47HOWaoQ&oe=6588F612 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404715675_876352784132111_6897144949232047910_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0rQPp62RYmQAX8WVEno&_nc_oc=AQmoAzo35PfdvKMZEw_jZV5jnevyelbRzyUBJzRKchjZPUU-QSiOzLqtgfRw7FjHqbI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-lkRaBBRgzptVUxH3zPohwAjZrBwdq6Ym0Uksyxs9UA&oe=658823AF | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56880 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970733 | 65 | 187791187656568 | 5 | 8.5894191571687E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201778904010250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677851 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404641104_695922715605664_4661830556968240599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JX0QMFBt9K0AX8SEgMS&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCtIL3xB4EFnR1ooJKJk-FtW7LNrDdkoGszgv9QDX1JCA&oe=65889C1E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56889 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 274985125521584 | 4 | 1.1104183366128E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105318458419634 | 0 | Fully Delicious - Images | 120200721278410167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679319 | 1.0531845841963E+14 | Fully Delicious - Images | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404558025_3293112430978708_5909986734546003458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-G2EFL55magAX8ru_OK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2nxK2bWSWfxnmjQhA3xtxSZ0u-NDGbr_8t0XZgK6Bdw&oe=6588DFB9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Fully Delicious - Images | 711 | https://facebook.com/100069380589760 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56892 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 322186613926776 | 1.442981893229E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201779378060250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678825 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478384_307379925475582_6668460916514100970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vdNMyEbD_1IAX9uDApf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_-opZWcxs_UWH4KUYq9UkkkgTflcSl59UqM6jcCvtug&oe=6588A135 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56896 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 308498575412352 | 3 | 3.0928944528021E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117390571392405 | 0 | The Crafty Collective | 120201779029030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678023 | 1.1739057139240E+14 | The Crafty Collective | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404665006_3577870452454325_6287188178643273559_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TWyiCZm5GNAAX8f98Sv&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQaccEQh80Ry6SrTqj8AzWWh0kyMTLAHiOlgfiYKXPlQ&oe=6587511D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | The Crafty Collective | 824 | https://facebook.com/100094121992035 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56903 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 353506007360907 | 3 | 3.0928944528021E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117390571392405 | 0 | The Crafty Collective | 120201779029030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678023 | 1.1739057139240E+14 | The Crafty Collective | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404665006_3577870452454325_6287188178643273559_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TWyiCZm5GNAAX_61TEH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDqAJp_o4jp6PEUPL7WiiPqN4xPua5fteAzY0lyTg2Xww&oe=6587511D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | The Crafty Collective | 824 | https://facebook.com/100094121992035 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56907 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 361471609589064 | 5 | 8.5894191571687E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201778904010250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677851 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404641104_695922715605664_4661830556968240599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JX0QMFBt9K0AX96aclO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmx5XAIsWJ0PPFKGJZ-zPUpQ5MlG4kw2jLd_P7XqNL8g&oe=65889C1E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56930 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 732264088360502 | 5 | 3.3582069914797E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779071030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678105 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404281049_663826785738975_691301604766854849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ykNp0-Tw4SgAX_dsehG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5d2gdxAO-t6z5wxiQZB_nKQedSPzY9-NlB0inOKE1rA&oe=6588FE11 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56928 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970734 | 65 | 720919716562862 | 5 | 7.2234098268851E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109657078608486 | 0 | Learn Something | 120200721153830167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679055 | 1.0965707860849E+14 | Learn Something | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405499495_6696053400449536_785684262627965749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NOCFM-m1mYAX9p99mO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAY06IcKxNRO6yBVssHpbTOhsZYoT21OolV1gbaC9vrTw&oe=65887AB5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Learn Something | 5352 | https://facebook.com/100086954096959 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56935 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970734 | 65 | 781681310431081 | 5 | 1.0156560028262E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721035170167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678881 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403723303_340445045354355_4047403071000238198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBZ7kHTb8TwAX_Qbjl0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlqb7v351tTCSWbbEo8vny1J3na10DaYUOBfydQS_EQw&oe=658873C3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56938 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970734 | 65 | 846443700599036 | 5 | 1.0911569485488E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201778980400250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677939 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402960811_3582056052051476_2480871273265367808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8cuobOvepzoAX98WWaE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCyZ0LPECm1jy7NOj-a1jPGsVhEeNGEAq-hNU2ycc18HQ&oe=6588A973 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56940 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970734 | 65 | 853954366371487 | 5 | 6.7252928135758E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779124310250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678212 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625066_3576316099290479_3496808059134504848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PNE-Nwr-wvYAX9AgXdZ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCHNVcY_V7QCCfrGiOr77wsk9iH9qdwMkaTtqLLOF0IJQ&oe=6587E3EF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55756 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970735 | 65 | 716795677060173 | 5 | 1.3989916943323E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409937154_3524494957763200_342375175847605232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JeV4PQm36PMAX9J5PS_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDV-iJhnvDpMi35SOlaqMefNAG-xvK1F5LoiT0SCjjB_A&oe=658864E2 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56069 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970735 | 65 | 1422636534986374 | 2 | 8.7537959412956E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202763401860520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Chip Gaines Addresses Rumors | Trouble in Chip and Joanna Gaines paradise | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702282579 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410124954_4032222137065926_4714435734126869736_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fD-NIBhD_WsAX8wMHET&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCK6UCyjzL_SWZX0MMEFbAAe9xKnNW0H1NJ6H6V9FKf7w&oe=658940A2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56686 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970735 | 65 | 3578190719116983 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145445040740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Speaks Out to the World Breaking Her Silence. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806380 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403698688_758485642990061_244931910203647469_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o40yRhWLhxsAX8G4ipl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAy38KfEmNmSwpnFm1m_B0qxb9ixvVQTSBW7EyhR-8aVA&oe=65882226 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers Hid This for Years, Now Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband and Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Show Ending. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56931 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970735 | 65 | 906444607739687 | 3.3582069914797E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779071030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678105 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404281049_663826785738975_691301604766854849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ykNp0-Tw4SgAX_dsehG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5d2gdxAO-t6z5wxiQZB_nKQedSPzY9-NlB0inOKE1rA&oe=6588FE11 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55564 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970735 | 65 | 272643898763948 | 3.4592548147453E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011744800506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702637058 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410156630_1049447946332316_2137188124141536505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MCI09fqVq28AX-vlQdo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfChYbLrqBOhUN8xwGf_ZelZFMTvLQ38UxvPFWD9KymtlA&oe=6587D327 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410936301_3795231630802024_219154457988340433_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XziUPlnVr6UAX9hUJs7&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCf4fizUGcWC4qva7JzaMtLgO6FyvUIULUnNiiT-F0AWg&oe=6588008B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55588 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970735 | 65 | 1015742122836180 | 1 | 8.2837503242117E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011726170506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636898 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410892914_1068499510846857_5696662375802700782_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=udtsVbe5nAkAX-RbvBw&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCO1XHN384sl9GOTx6PpNk0a--ALQMMhraQ_91_0OOeKQ&oe=6588D24A | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410849516_640042934761673_2786969839688085274_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A6X7VwgyAYAAX81sZGy&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAri42FTMwcoUQccYbbXDpW8MypCtuPBAtmkJt0R6udIg&oe=65875615 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55583 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970735 | 65 | 1597979484346601 | 1 | 9.1165694391733E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011737650506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636914 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410854871_1046420269935289_7239202059052729649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ejEbyExCR1oAX-Hl0qS&_nc_oc=AQmxvwV8TkIuUhcGe0dZ0poH0bS6SERF4LxobweoocArQNTB6zuVj7HVJQNdHbCG9_I&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCvxRLiKF2GZa9tzd5KsEwz1zgAz_tUaEerwAGpcmDLEA&oe=6588742C | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410669089_1101858634137328_8947683167676573757_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1tz16L7DynwAX80WGQe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB7Nx05IO3pE3I4Ov9Rn4dgE6Cpu03YVyjARoT0n8MYdQ&oe=6588141A | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55729 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970736 | 65 | 3677595442564948 | 1.519232485522E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104503492084237 | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | 6522175069854 | healthandhappinesshubb.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Le Creuset Cookware Sets are now On-The-House 🎁 | https://healthandhappinesshubb.com/ | 1702519942 | 1.0450349208424E+14 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411173538_850861853499382_5638610462039550697_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xgwbC-rAPzQAX8cwPa_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvG7hPfVPHnJjZeBDZNlSUDlOoqfZUeNuYJu5azIpjFQ&oe=6588083B | person_profile | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411161180_382629771092340_5573470845858556112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AHl2oBFnPnIAX_CAFSW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9rqe8dEo6ge2fl_t7NtQEcvshoYqXUl7AlE_VCi3oUg&oe=6588E7EF | 0 | 3 | 🎁🎄DAY 8 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Give_away Sponsored by Chip & Joanna! | Health and Happiness Hub | 79 | https://facebook.com/61551512137589 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55391 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970736 | 65 | 733682681973668 | 1 | 1.2357561604263E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109116271556490 | 0 | Fun Read | 120203274000280173 | sportzbonanza.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://sportzbonanza.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702952523 | 1.0911627155649E+14 | Fun Read | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412368206_1464286507508464_200119540402895192_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hGlqUcZ0gGQAX8U-h8e&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBNuGtWusmydBNZH0_A5Dnn4zquIAaC9aI5bh6mAeLCHg&oe=65887656 | person_profile | 0 | Fun Read | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412100102_1091950865138749_4825386584757156839_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mUSC5kuZhyUAX-okHTk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAXZet8xpHbYzJesahgx9bwBC2jchTi8jYWgP9_EMA0-A&oe=65892502 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Fun Read | 140 | https://facebook.com/100077171000984 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56359 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/3/25, 12:11 AM | 1703105779 | 1743657094 | 65 | 908047200835496 | 1 | 6.6626838902225E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 871611042878073 | 0 | Author Maggie Dallen | 6504533813756 | maggiedallenbooks.com | Shop now | NONE | video | 5 Books for 30% Off! | "Loved this book! The characters come to life!" - Joanna | https://maggiedallenbooks.com/products/the-bluestocking-battalion-series-bundle | 1701720981 | 8.7161104287807E+14 | Author Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407113460_6901585673212563_2853654272102063678_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9PVlKh4qvaoAX-DRrJ_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCt8M6HqdrQ6MvDKr626mnktJTEfOdB3h3wT6SuSFQNZQ&oe=65885FBA | person_profile | 0 | Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407050108_1352574295372524_5771940014494154790_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HQm_C1hDwQkAX9mNote&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHg3rNPhRNb1JoA5yWcCviUj0zxXdUANWuzX-5pp0QMg&oe=6587E0CA | 0 | 3 | Yesterday, I was a bookish wallflower leading a predictable life. But then I stumble upon a pirate in a cave, and he mistakes me for a spy.<br /> <br /> He takes me captive. But eventually he figures out the truth. <br /> I'm just a dutiful daughter whose life has been planned out, right down to who I'll marry. So he says he'll let me go.<br /> <br /> But this morning, when I seek out my father to confess what happened, he's not alone in his study. The pirate is there. <br /> <br /> But now he's dressed like a gentleman, and he greets me with a wicked smile. “Ah, just the young lady I was hoping to meet.”<br /> <br /> BOOK: Miss Minerva's Pirate Mishap<br /> <br /> What readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /> "I loved every book in this series! It was so fun to read about each sister finding adventure and love. If you love sweet regency romances...I highly recommend these books!" <br /> <br /> Get the 5 E-Books in this bundle series and save 30% today! The PERFECT way to support the author directly.<br /> <br /> After your purchase. Receive an email with the link to the ebook. <br /> <br /> Download the books with one click and send them to your kindle, tablet, or phone. And READ!<br /> <br /> Thank you for supporting me directly! 🥰 | Author Maggie Dallen | 2617 | https://facebook.com/MaggieDallenAuthor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56132 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970737 | 65 | 342792911720914 | 1 | 1.0242105922125E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155246200476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094495 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408690227_1407088023522195_2037426778755113070_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Soh7vjwacZEAX-T7C5I&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwgc4zWDbE4r1Zq-94GD-nNUA9vKomMiG4yfmdiXqAQg&oe=65888231 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408709613_289366596891661_5526806642945675311_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kr9F_-IrersAX-wX2Db&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC0fZojf4RTFDRB1RW9lpvpAVH_6CFFP2eVv5vVLJnB6g&oe=65878578 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56544 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 7:43 PM | 1703105781 | 1745628228 | 65 | 2128177174181312 | 2 | 6.4421679792357E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1714320658797429 | 0 | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | 6487055221810 | chrisconnellyphotography.com/scheduler | Learn more | NONE | video | NY’s Top Boudoir Studio ❤️ | Schedule Your Boudoir Session Today! | Chris Connelly Boudoir Photography | Albany’s #1 Boudoir Photographer | https://chrisconnellyphotography.com/scheduler/ | 1701197349 | 1.7143206587974E+15 | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406434299_1020473649234131_6989056142508130772_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2aQBknGBzeAAX_cC1Ty&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC2x2yHe5BiephpA7vCAshyhBXVxuxnIyfUPRNpVvhh8w&oe=65885EB5 | person_profile | 0 | Intimate Potraiture & Boudoir | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406422216_358350836696141_5838970049413558462_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xTrO3Ie3EWwAX_Jy-S6&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBgI_jnmxh9cJ6lnB72x0yTHt8mtt17lRwl1Ic13ceMEg&oe=65891E35 | 0 | 3 | The most common thing I hear from my clients is always, “I wish I had done this sooner!” <br /> <br /> So why don’t you take the first step and schedule a complimentary consultation with our expert team? 📞 During the call, we’ll answer ALL of your questions - no matter how big or small! Plus, we’ll walk you through the whole process and give you details on pricing. <br /> <br /> If you’re thinking, “Me? Boudoir? No way! I’m not _____ enough,” 🤔 just listen to what my previous clients say about their confidence-boosting sessions:<br /> <br /> 💌 “I left on a complete high. I've never seen myself the way Chris was able to capture me. He showed me a side of myself others have told me they have seen, but that I've never seen myself. I was self-conscious about my body before, but left feeling gorgeous and empowered”<br /> <br /> 💌 “Chris is absolutely amazing!! He has tons of expertise and knows exactly what is going to look good! I was so nervous at first but both him and Joanna made me feel so comfortable within minutes that I totally forgot I was nervous in the first place! This made me feel so confident and good about myself! To anyone who isn’t sure if they want to do this or not, just do it!! You will not be disappointed!!” <br /> <br /> 💌 “I was hesitant to have my pictures done as I'm a bit more curvy than most, but I'm so happy I did! From the moment I walked into the studio, I was made to feel comfortable. From hair and makeup, to choosing my outfits and poses, I was supported every step of the way. It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience and showcased the way I've always felt about myself!” <br /> <br /> Are you ready to take the plunge? Click the button below to schedule a consult and get all the details on a boudoir session with Chris Connelly Photography. | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | 2677 | https://facebook.com/chrisconnellyphotography | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56316 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 12:58 AM | 1703105779 | 1723787886 | 65 | 227669703683348 | 1 | 1.0729748603785E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458428250691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856012 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406745954_1115940799566070_4194866825062770356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dro2pbnZz1AAX8UtiDn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAgggiaNnqQWxNrYNfuUbMNzucN6tchH-UomPV9PM-UuA&oe=65892F24 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406756908_883264160021176_7274414304973514849_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-HWf7pFnsuQAX92I8WP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCW-M6xyt1eoBSth4XdVqR3c67LSYX9xfd0SJTQxtUY8g&oe=6587A1C6 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55477 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970737 | 65 | 3162755264021429 | 1 | 3.6754452594827E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 173031552743560 | 0 | hollywoodactorsworkshop.com | 6516623439800 | hollywoodactorsworkshop.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | http://www.hollywoodactorsworkshop.com/ | 1702831983 | 1.7303155274356E+14 | hollywoodactorsworkshop.com | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411091586_911841737040084_4443930479075260616_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_1yKw1Fe-0QAX8XM0_3&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwRZa8YifFCyQh37Lnfh7jYuijh2A8F7WSZhSomxGFgQ&oe=658760E6 | person_profile | 0 | Hollywood Actors Workshop | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411088393_1035021687756806_981110052595109089_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EHRj2cwbzFAAX9oLLAy&_nc_oc=AQkif7bker6caEiFIdDGqgM79gJ_GyliA2Zcaez4DqTiSwAnhLDBaHtoKWyAc8qGxYo&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCULBk9Jj0lAs8g6X3giOeety3R_A_DWX_hmh8D8_R_HQ&oe=65877CC9 | 0 | 3 | Hey all!<br /> <br /> I’m coming out of my writer/director shell (I spent the past two years working on the film Love & Karma with Oscar Nominee Eric Roberts, Golden Globe nominee Joanna Pacula, and International Star Bai Ling) and now that the film is in the VFX portion of post-production, my schedule is opening up for one on one acting coaching sessions again… but I realize that I should probably reintroduce myself to the community.<br /> <br /> Hello! I’m Gio!<br /> <br /> - I won 2023 Silver Telly Award for my film, “Legacy”<br /> - Wrote/Directed the feature film “Love & Karma”<br /> - Became a member of the Alliance of Women Directors & the Producers Guild of America<br /> - I’m still the on-call acting coach for Pixar. <br /> <br /> As an actor, I worked on Titanic Rises (which played theatrically in South America, was dubbed in several languages for the international market and can currently be seen on Tubi), recurred on Young Sheldon, and just did my first multi-cam show with Bob Hearts Abishola. Oh and I was also nominated Best Supporting Actress alongside Academy Award nominees Amy Irving & Alfre Woodard at one point in time… <br /> <br /> so I do know the neurotic mental chatter that actors go through in this crazy-lovely industry. <br /> <br /> I’m known for teaching kiddos because I break down the info in a way a six year old can understand, but I teach adults as well. In fact, one of my students first SAG job was a recurring role on “Never Have I Ever” as Geeta. <br /> <br /> Anyhoo, as my holiday present (and so you can get to know me) here is a link to my podcast and how I teach my students to break down their scripts with a special segment on breaking down sitcom/Disney work:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fhollywoodactorsworkshop.com%2Fpages%2Fpodcast&h=AT0jQfa_bSjttG2b8hH5X1kf033omUsiJagCriZMnPw3ZAb_hyNkUJ3a28-ofSVuFB7P0H_DYYslttjIeamYwDibcNx9vznszom6LoTHImzXnq3oQmwI25SOws9LYarcSS7WFW4vLCmGysuwPCnz6JGTvUM" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://hollywoodactorsworkshop.com/pages/podcast</a><br /> <br /> It’s totally free. People have told me that I should be charging for it… <br /> <br /> But I believe the secret of making any scene magical is how specific you can make it to your own humanity, quirks, and personality while serving the story.<br /> <br /> I want to see your soul. *said non creepily* 🤓<br /> <br /> #acting #actingcoach #actorslife #casting #ericroberts #indiefilm #bailing #neverhaveiever #workingactor #filmmaker #womeninfilm #loveandkarma | hollywoodactorsworkshop.com | 2929 | https://facebook.com/SfActorsWorkshop | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56924 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970737 | 65 | 676309784605164 | 5 | 6.4373481125526E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721249030167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679265 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402946191_307574395500084_5630667761958460280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lg72Sx5xJxkAX-6AFBn&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBU9LvLIiNJC2dswEl2sNcMthfEw5vISDBw0fSURmDBQg&oe=65876B4C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56744 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970738 | 65 | 1389756191892067 | 1 | 1.1047826775675E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632222660115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796910 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403064068_1571440460265003_2441801669882602344_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q-bzvUbrseUAX8siDAI&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBDdGTilGy9upQA9HWlqBMjpdTB6jA3J-NsOgbRzN_MSw&oe=65884AEA | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405795886_1069679394215537_9144451891006281591_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eDgfhiGbVGIAX9q_Qa1&_nc_oc=AQmf0wS39JeVaKfdqqYW51mepBI8y5QjhP0qNF15OTLSOzpheKiKXYgRAFxWUWK69icxVugfFzSLQUJo0mEcghpl&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBsnSDJV6_k0N5GyPta4LDNpOWQvBJPDgsYzSFu58OHDg&oe=65875B43 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55697 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970738 | 65 | 698711785698278 | 1 | 8.8277591650897E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 156012997601512 | 0 | Joanna Feldman | 120202665658260126 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/feldman_joanna | 1702070713 | 1.5601299760151E+14 | Joanna Feldman | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409197472_1867433557023054_2300698607242154713_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lPYcJsdmtFAAX9HdonP&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCj1zLCKvwP-XfCwwPw8XiHYky3ya0ZyqbXA2mIcwpwUA&oe=6587B070 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Feldman || TOP LIDER • NETWORK • Aloesowe Petardy 📲 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409591747_368529699014850_6983023629022999062_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MiADF21LJVkAX--vlXb&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMR5vtXLvudU8m3UHP72Y3w7lTWnUeVl0WfXem0lDTGQ&oe=65877713 | 0 | 3 | Joanna Feldman | 0 | https://facebook.com/61553286580270 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55598 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970739 | 65 | 648851153859399 | 1 | 1.1443995198576E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110149531254235 | 0 | Kleberg County, TX | 120208020287660456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Kleberg County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702630769 | 1.1014953125424E+14 | Kleberg County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410391854_1025822855306115_5955080308008449027_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O5GjZ_maYA8AX8rNzA9&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCoX5xcq49hxOPflmVdissdFr2x4pFyEimvJudG8LTE7Q&oe=65886FF2 | person_profile | 0 | Kleberg County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411385905_876345287319498_6998541154652019265_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1POCLOrUXVsAX-sMhMb&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDHgSTLMdPiAHab2fveYBm0OcfJqy8WrUjtsk_QQcu8Xw&oe=65879D96 | 0 | 3 | Kleberg County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Kleberg County, TX | 19 | https://facebook.com/100068714171126 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56833 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970739 | 65 | 263926983322697 | 1 | 2.7731179862006E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201208047520403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724760 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404296149_301613492693010_590177364344182296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=letFxHCzAKMAX_Q6yKw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBngJzn07vEWItmDTMblyelkenDOb5bAgCut6fCrGTe8A&oe=6587BB07 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404305875_363725936164219_2871846097240407728_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ryjAmLhq2b8AX-GbguJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZvNOf2rdGE59rO0PhO5d_PIMQTlGuo40U9rOMnJVsxg&oe=65878A9D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56299 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970739 | 65 | 357598830294016 | 1 | 1.4163970659749E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458821500691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856193 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407698919_221330587582365_3847514897425380742_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C8N3FjUCE-cAX-r7Kuq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBAYD9-9l-KWaXnDw8gWZHwzn3gTcmcUCdRiHWOm0qJPA&oe=65874A20 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983976_1080275773386844_3700926557583303340_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iCLuCrmJ9psAX84qY8r&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAuL9vsQv6oq0tO6v_ByVmvuwgb8kwNpvIv2cN4kcrx3g&oe=6588AEC2 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56046 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:58 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970739 | 65 | 648965480777415 | 1 | 2.5616732306616E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498180810278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287788 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410247627_379188527903846_3500724409026158700_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q-UJjKhTd5cAX_9f1rx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD7f53CWW6TAuZR870wrPvnR7vATNf89OpT54pcClK0KQ&oe=65875026 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409633469_793525075912225_2397790456548489441_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S-v12GsS5TYAX_ulo_v&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCaCEaHGrPz-5KmRmyWQQ_UrQmVd0gY7Ud3XtvnvTNfWg&oe=6587552B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55666 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/19/24, 5:25 PM | 1703105772 | 1734650758 | 65 | 732531955412116 | 1 | 6.6007631100219E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203186097690102 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611722 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410385964_884733440030849_183674805069930753_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FM2OjVe1ZSsAX82n59c&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnP_Is0QezuA9lCJTISAnMJbqRJQMzhF47R7fZCQdkWA&oe=6588FD8B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55765 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 6:25 PM | 1703105773 | 1747178755 | 65 | 212930071863801 | 4 | 7.013065186452E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548085209 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494398 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410459034_307737295053099_3242163052044719556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LVJkjmkGKxcAX8GO-GT&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBOTYE3ZCMPD9ksxdX943Wx5i2ePSa0fdmkLmki7N6N2w&oe=6587894D | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410352936_231496063312378_3123021103321075004_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uIsk1LQbXhMAX80wlox&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBo3RrdnZMRRAxH7vhAIRmWWFPENXl1bIUdLWW0dnM1Rw&oe=65875234 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55934 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/12/25, 6:25 AM | 1703105775 | 1744457140 | 65 | 1064378901371587 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207707504640456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390696 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409540993_199129096586994_2791462629474179665_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PS2qPY2hX5YAX_SPvzT&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAFemuAOJcHSwSSRG6ih_zTnITGPoIJa-6bEbUR5xLCBQ&oe=6587E85B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56922 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 10:04 PM | 1703105785 | 1745636681 | 65 | 647359527478149 | 5 | 1.6303717808225E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100377515694960 | 0 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 120200721515760167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679858 | 1.0037751569496E+14 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404272923_2572055626299902_3305460755590047071_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gy0C0zOkIEAX8iIGDe&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVt5e5rvyhe4NWJmX-H5A6U4cFxemrv7nUL0Rdwtapdw&oe=6587EB21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 329 | https://facebook.com/100071723169364 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56050 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 6:44 PM | 1703105776 | 1723765441 | 65 | 3114505482014686 | 1 | 9.1427245637245E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498173870278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287780 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409906373_1022338088866099_5538452331523543679_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0E5FHnv0xooAX_2Q-B9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAarK8gjtakKgsj_EsUx7QzSJRapLcUlBfRCNHPaPPGaQ&oe=6588E50B | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409684798_3802776606622767_718087880499197697_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oNap4mjqD-kAX8RTot9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCoiwWPNVyt9Sh1lAS3ZkuQMgTxLm6NefXP47t5rW8y_g&oe=6588E3DD | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56695 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 6:36 AM | 1703105783 | 1746617796 | 65 | 367182852359827 | 3 | 1.1463320796809E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674071350115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969835 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406230241_656780333009758_1693337773169608253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pXzKoeV1WkwAX-xJz4E&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdEzvIV-QU7uL-YK_YVIO_jwRFCSiwGEvaoW8KTgeXPA&oe=65878E06 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403717194_7046070642082183_643270913153439283_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8Ha3nYrjvLUAX9vYCaM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDJSPgSLx6gBlWsauXoZSLTHvhDAUdDqpfofahS5qNIew&oe=65878EB8 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55681 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 5:43 PM | 1703105772 | 1723675381 | 65 | 5408916912565904 | 1.0086188768708E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102611578357778 | 0 | Royel Otis | 6502143783289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702584825 | 1.0261157835778E+14 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411243608_1384826029122014_1826494769844930471_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VzQWVEA1Z8cAX9kPiZe&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNp4T7cl6UzvjeMxjoywyckiCtVF8RO_YeBIf_g8NgGQ&oe=6587C670 | person_profile | 0 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411347240_320435604238385_6233497121095727910_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rc070n4DZSkAX9_F5kI&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhl3yb7cdBbv-uFVJKecL6y2Deqh87caY5Eyhdyt_qYw&oe=6587E448 | 0 | 3 | Kilby Block Party! Get your tickets now cause we’ve got ours. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT1U5_oKbEAohtjiEXEGhM7KYQuGhZZoTlsqYLbein-gsBOUjBWjJ88do116TCCreJT7TY4Zcq85JkaMDJIXQFg0Z07s53VKAnKtTZwqD6SN_lhCfeuOuD5t_dLDkkutXFz66Ldn9veL4c5Kq86gTg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Royel Otis | 1360 | https://facebook.com/Royelotisofficial | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55467 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970741 | 65 | 1086870408996371 | 3 | 3.1589290310703E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105343545334758 | 0 | Culinary Creations | 6577364627618 | culinarycreationsre.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Le Creuset Cookware Sets are now On-The-House 🎁 | https://culinarycreationsre.com/ | 1702850432 | 1.0534354533476E+14 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412050417_296014376762174_5147780337320228992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aoEXGna7ZyEAX-kxzJ2&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLomqKwTCNstVv3TzNsGp3bgvSafNxdQZH5I_iYzUURg&oe=6588664C | person_profile | 0 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411721121_324045907112662_7148736415263624966_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DBneVoy96yQAX8owUBS&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZ_g5x8JWNytPh41rI6OrFwX2qsDIZxFYp5cqAkSqGnw&oe=65886BFF | 0 | 3 | 🎁🎄DAY 9 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Give_away Sponsored by Chip & Joanna! | Culinary Creations | 8 | https://facebook.com/100090339347603 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55906 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970741 | 65 | 1856946698153248 | 2 | 3.6399136596004E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 338490086641261 | 0 | Dayglow | 6501556883289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427942 | 3.3849008664126E+14 | Dayglow | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410749496_892559765878675_326216413606590551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lYr2XjPVaiYAX-P-QkP&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBINGy6ubJt3EVM9QTKBjFZOeJt-k66_O4Lr174UwFI3g&oe=6588B6EA | person_profile | 0 | Dayglow (Sloan Struble) | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410579909_727110668962701_5156588755194920033_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pJuKAYReuz8AX9Ktx3n&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcGw1Z3DkjKea_p6HrorgZ81SA6AjJpPlrGJ_RWQoOmA&oe=6587CD8A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Dayglow | 36804 | https://facebook.com/dayglowband | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55638 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 3:18 PM | 1703105772 | 1751055504 | 65 | 1036149067651613 | 1 | 7.1321708743554E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 133697996490926 | 0 | Life's Daily Shortcuts | 120202208917920424 | hacksdetective.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Hacks Detective takes away the mystery for you | https://www.hacksdetective.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702556229 | 1.3369799649093E+14 | Life's Daily Shortcuts | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411117168_1744962392681723_4637370559536520822_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d00UMDGpItAAX_0rhCZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNGphjE6F7eT16151lIZtvuLjgkqXG4VXzSix9tuLbCQ&oe=658790E8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Life's Daily Shortcuts | 18 | https://facebook.com/61551365124856 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56609 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/13/25, 11:09 AM | 1703105782 | 1744560545 | 65 | 1062463814785377 | 2 | 2.6384812298732E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715933630115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140267 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406044196_24182196258092373_8838822603103042870_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fkY7tJvGJw0AX88wyia&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDfMHaBlyg8Pc7N2m_gQTZ-EGG_F-UNQHbw_Q_llmoadg&oe=65878B0F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406108323_1443267746230226_4895212633771626450_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NrualXFl29wAX8MfAap&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfASbkZtH9QoyTnPvKSzvZXT-33v0sL0ve00Bxol57NrRg&oe=658915C6 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55533 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 1:49 AM | 1703105770 | 1743144574 | 65 | 3616004592002639 | 1.0963186413727E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 146487481057 | 0 | Vampire Weekend | 6502470530489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702669369 | 146487481057 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411401747_224912143893087_5193530391844804863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RKp5zZ0RT9YAX8sWvO1&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDdVxBDBEugRzQDWSPmrJhpTZeGl9KDMwtzDnPALYYxrg&oe=65882B53 | person_profile | 0 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410424016_721341196576595_6312161832926649825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yj4bziZiwnkAX-iX5ZJ&_nc_oc=AQnSnzplea7lhKL2F0rVdPGX9-cDZXunKi2kRr3axDGIUK4R4J-UNuy2g4_XxH0FXc4&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDgMOfCtdZFFYoOXeDG4AooSF3qBWkGM4zE5ifF8pqoUQ&oe=65887927 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2-AOwrG7NuXeD2yQl_vHXdJI5hphQAvYT16NUpM2vT7UsjcmqouTrD0UQtnKAXJGd3af6JCTAIMND8zP-j5Bd0vlFo4wAUIx5ag-70Cf_6_aGnK2dN513jAbgrbZcxJVDAXZgJ0-9_nh8lQhz0lw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Vampire Weekend | 1967275 | https://facebook.com/VampireWeekend | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55807 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970743 | 65 | 379311334445699 | 1 | 2.1306625506258E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509825060308 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462398 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409759606_1459837971248219_7151315760878362005_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BMgbGUhDISUAX88pqGD&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCCTeoLRTTKGeZl9-WH2P6pHEw-Tht2IBkGroRxypYKug&oe=65882531 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409187062_333581562760818_1391645735385357663_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BPvwq_IW3mwAX8CbPTM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBACi5PPNzYtrtCnoGlJdLDOiFhnOq0HhIlSbBmeHSdIA&oe=6588BC34 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55815 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970743 | 65 | 1854298071653882 | 1 | 3.2417970661291E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509774780308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462355 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410776058_697095635510542_7466485299552637762_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vx0F1_wb7QoAX9dHTzU&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCiyQ7KzE7gSFhOsLTzSVFJeaHuy4YkhWSXvdemLSzxvg&oe=6588E0CB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410757170_254624984064930_3446191483105838450_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7o69dNnNbJEAX99ywHp&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDejP5yYxUe65IHPMSUW0pHW4SUlO3KkRkp9EO4O1UBw&oe=65882579 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56183 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970743 | 65 | 720394666630117 | 1 | 1.3941107947918E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672507750427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030374 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409047094_1074123670612481_3174298708458135810_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fMamYyeC398AX-2kg95&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfAL56-LPLnDkK1WLCXWDjff9zWjrI0QzgYB7VUmXqEq6A&oe=65874F1C | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409035225_1181206549412920_6155009482026868507_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i9fPYzwTUb8AX8aciw1&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfA7lVVI30js2puClU2485E4ALPnyhNShWzSxC7jeYjYFQ&oe=658814FF | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55911 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970743 | 65 | 2037352753293334 | 1.1183296461916E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6871006677 | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | 6501555320889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427657 | 6871006677 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409929024_784852036988407_5157659997306385813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iGAfsz-wXyoAX-HCUiR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD72lSToetiuE5QGM4FNAuG-2X90gSVzSPftljIbDOyhg&oe=65875BD5 | person_profile | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409969862_2232190093644545_8300143766679992441_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hyT3miZ2bWkAX8hRtfe&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDe9emLsB1zm0pw7nWhTJ1nGkG178TGC8-r5qLsmoX08g&oe=6587C836 | 0 | 3 | Utah, catch us performing live at Kilby Block Party May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0Gq19gkaIc5TRtoM986nsZ6KtC-RJdmfOz80Ijn2qlnSEj5kO2GExkhploKbWNO4IiVoBKC3TS86uc9ipsfa-qPli0qDWhwoCmMG4uCcYhNtIeEoqhmZx5Jh2dMtU5rdDYeeGzWA9tXGSUjaXegVcoOdenUOBFYGxtS_oo9rQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Death Cab for Cutie | 2095872 | https://facebook.com/deathcabforcutie | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55913 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970743 | 65 | 1584505915700702 | 1.1183296461916E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6871006677 | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | 6500413979089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702079047 | 6871006677 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409046257_360312323321258_3275135180919876872_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iOo8EOtF4NsAX_iY-6W&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDEqStAzsaj1Z28El2aqQIT1m5panlSk6OFGBAHC_-3CQ&oe=6587EAB9 | person_profile | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409056767_220294997767136_1362414026856191131_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xCNYOB217L4AX_alO6J&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHTcOEB6_aLxwx2xTJXmL0_JHpEgxKjXdw3CgaC1j1oQ&oe=65874E50 | 0 | 3 | Utah, catch us performing live at Kilby Block Party May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2tKnfK0OIqrU7Dwwuzl-jQqnEJl8TOXRr0ra32oVrhAHCjNO-ZQJQ6GvkYilSg8XTtbf4SI6WqNypbAhLUJJnVfY_42thrlf86tVBE1lzrJEFdupNiCrvw1tLRmkTOeRRp1EO_ye6M2DZxzC947h_y90n48nIhTd_udK4Y46U" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Death Cab for Cutie | 2095872 | https://facebook.com/deathcabforcutie | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56746 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970743 | 65 | 1487016022077867 | 2 | 1.4427700929366E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632250400115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796758 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403077606_877108267390776_3465220922730670075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wNSdiguOMusAX_OyY7r&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBcmG5t6cVbPDgwl30JAup-U9aUVkV1fI-lYzUykZNlgQ&oe=65887389 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403729629_6771363806274938_4453967282860494823_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hm_Le70iUPEAX9MroO0&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCxTmujKh2SywVbbG6UzhOz_BikX6P65T6eucgYVN3hfA&oe=658856EA | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56053 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970743 | 65 | 571266558501557 | 1 | 1.0418260903001E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498170220278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287785 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408166041_2036506830038101_4743652711004999883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-3p15Z_lTzAAX8sWH6u&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDvebn6KEUmcfAFjV2RpBnIDaa8rmnt4Y5wFLIkxbnI6w&oe=6587C66B | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408149451_377732768093930_2283874663494221972_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KGRzX4JzK-IAX_6Nflq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZTUpAA5_YaBsqp-qxyL1BvNEBs6IEd6O7JcGUVPGaeA&oe=6588B294 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56780 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970743 | 65 | 990694981997171 | 1 | 3.1692191443933E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220428420404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582732 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403605753_1580561682702137_2144844309263027268_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rXxOAqKzDq0AX_cliOg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDRipbgFyIPhZ7qOw5TpV6lbEeNfa-Ftdw7JAPsaAePA&oe=65881EDE | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619240_1339564903590718_2126769996089295646_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sBwTlDCSmYcAX88_UpN&_nc_oc=AQm_6-u8Dtl3Iv3UUTrNBws-HKYOYetBSODdnmbICqqluMs5b0vMRt0Di-wkd-9YizM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVcBcamZwutcDYDNHkLKJLPtSH0_0H7TfYvxYO0_uvLw&oe=65877A66 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56759 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970743 | 65 | 1959148101132704 | 1 | 2.0596095588289E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343776360404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843536 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403091251_873994207597005_1264819472283265094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1qlhcwUlqVQAX-1mVVs&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAAPTTSyRby3IQaXLm29ZJESfW6zS_BUtsddGEPQpJOZQ&oe=658876FA | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403098334_242817575480875_5697087263336300117_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5FDTSz5sQncAX9SJlWE&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAlnKN0swLDx7-_-pkZtKIC6jhRfS9PXomwYYR6IQmsnA&oe=65881EBE | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56090 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970743 | 65 | 1543605043071237 | 1 | 7.2579992442446E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202100489480180 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702189761 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409598086_374687145080847_1371185318903275988_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KPAhBRp8tGgAX_ZC_HZ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJ6DZO6a7yrJNx_CcyR-LhLi9DZ51T4mJHeayrhWR-8w&oe=658885E8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409738710_908316840891023_6927596425420206702_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=teEnK84UKgUAX8VyJ_3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDMUcYtKWEnb39_ut-YtGMxp0_yUw9rSrseYcZXQEN1UQ&oe=658801FA | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56708 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970744 | 65 | 1407377453149652 | 2 | 3.6470296275256E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674068310115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969833 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405989596_310885018535777_1270851359001587947_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KEypMBWIgwMAX-A4zKv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDO7Cg0AwJsJQuA5gDPf5QO5Y_ueYto8ZE9KBI6Nuw9Yg&oe=6588454A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405993436_188437834341936_7056867476556834761_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JqNRi0AKKy8AX_oapvP&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBNjAscIpC31K-U8g90PiAItDFkOjo_NZt8CE6GAp8kcA&oe=6588710A | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56728 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970744 | 65 | 322805477269236 | 1 | 1.0236980221848E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632010410115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796591 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405538534_313887381577026_9106739791306620705_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nRED7iS5OpEAX-tFsJZ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFp9GTBJ6S2aPvD7S8mVacCDmKa3Bahs8CgSe_5IUCHA&oe=6587E5B3 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404594264_891894712512648_5955675214774676774_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K_1QKX8Dt8UAX_Vfj98&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAqx5HmUTBKvYy3Cl_bgBUxZ-O6grIy_ZXQPolQdmoW6Q&oe=65879DA7 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56730 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970744 | 65 | 351453580832198 | 1 | 7.160545705848E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632059410115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796909 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405528075_314658434853357_7277632199114999243_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jlWG8kCr_H0AX_oNpdi&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAS72QjcKyxYWTrM0YbbFYfENKtzvG7nM3ubBDaCqT5lA&oe=65884EF1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404606341_1275752923116644_4741098493695701697_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t8rcOQXzBGgAX-pjJE4&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBaFKr-0PNuO6xJ_zSjdtJzoJn3YtVRjz75yJ858Cl3tA&oe=65885E1E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56715 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970744 | 65 | 914679176680063 | 1 | 1.0662820210642E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2166029823488459 | 0 | Marspeta | 120203176204000409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700908911 | 2.1660298234885E+15 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405311856_1699598537173377_2940446835034839732_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YQXwflF5YPMAX9o8nCC&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPSi-xJFAQDKukH9pY83O0CuR7NiB7CsF1oX_FXo-5kQ&oe=65887BA5 | person_profile | 0 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404949428_1080912536420930_924400872797928942_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AxGjtSDNO-oAX9wnWtV&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDY4PHqcHDQy8EcJhM4YYAtqZ4BITcoEFDvTSnc5ac_rQ&oe=6588B300 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Marspeta | 27676 | https://facebook.com/Marspeta | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56368 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970744 | 65 | 766141135322805 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 379834208813188 | 0 | Look Fabulous Forever | 6566855253209 | fb.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Lustrous Colour Lipstick - Look Fabulous Forever | https://fb.com/canvas_doc/720769190114963 | 1701681077 | 3.7983420881319E+14 | Look Fabulous Forever | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408057675_701918322041904_7562089635206327814_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SGtLaExBlMMAX9EGGIC&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVw4xKeIoiMFLNfZdMT_M_14rpPW0Tz27BPriVCv8ZSg&oe=658802B5 | person_profile | 0 | Look Fabulous Forever | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407757630_1403865160551174_2024298616183936605_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ac9nViMhUNYAX8Pw1vg&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAUuYDuzidAs0pP3IqG06aPO8q8UcjqaLUZnAknk55ORQ&oe=65882A16 | 0 | 3 | Joanna wears Look Fabulous Forever's Lustrous Colour Lipstick in Very Berry. It contains jojoba oil to hydrate and nourish your lips to help them appear luscious and full.<br /> <br /> "The texture is soft, comfortable, moisturising, feels great. Highly, highly recommend." - Jill<br /> <br /> Try it with Tricia’s 30 Day Guarantee. If you're not delighted, return it, free, for exchange or refund. | Look Fabulous Forever | 57944 | https://facebook.com/lookfabulousforeveruk | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56862 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970744 | 65 | 2092544997750029 | 1 | 1.0297228082318E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611860150115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722849 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403042271_1425005808370113_134902931472693619_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vIWBTLP2dIcAX9l_Kgi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfApj-SDNGa-LXuvh_ZbUAi-z2_shtIHVCYnd60W-hdiXw&oe=6589040A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403205688_239176048996647_8317907041722353631_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1g4Eu-cjYxoAX-JC0fb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUOghmJZBD01y0Gb29rQkQPzzcGGb7SM3bHFDz_8PcBQ&oe=65878EE7 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55657 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 6:37 PM | 1703105772 | 1723765030 | 65 | 6889447054469525 | 1 | 6.7092960524236E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205064176140729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702611176 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409814816_372429908782836_4528541420939448094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QwHZgOWFcRcAX8vzqXY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDUYG4uLWQzgZelPiaZnc1aJ9tVLxF1va_hlcohj4qowA&oe=65890A6D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409203017_745982590743737_8394499863295550564_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DfYK7-oxWjwAX-lohYJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAlh1dvFIJBWuSAmDKjTeKf76xlNuVwwdMyzw95t1gVVg&oe=6587D58A | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56217 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970744 | 65 | 3495573694086051 | 2 | 7.257495728074E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102890561862959 | 0 | Wander Prints Home Decor | 120201327401020733 | Shop now | NONE | image | https://wanderprints.com/gt383nel1901 | 1702010409 | 1.0289056186296E+14 | Wander Prints Home Decor | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408132878_6968651419836703_842521470513606602_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gUxjwKVvnY8AX_U2wRx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfChMGWwbPzgfqWQVXSzVHrx_mFFYLKk6wTS4XiB_4Bs_Q&oe=6588840C | person_profile | 0 | Wander Prints | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408131267_318462497660306_5797470389169523324_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XGV59M6V7g4AX-RFcYs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDvGL1ZonwyB5H4vw3SsgWnPq7RgrQS7LhGK8RBEYPYdQ&oe=658859DA | 0 | 3 | Personalized Gift For Besties!<br /> Order here → <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwanderprints.com%2Fgt383nel1901&h=AT33xjRoRMI4TtfFOBW_oaT8UDR5LVILbnPjEml_qYX4LEpgXghFDEbfSQ1C5LszvN113lYCq5rgiPCNu0iN04l6jJsEElJxuifEG4KJDk_YodjmjoI-Bng4kVOrAVSqvKVtn7AoEEGoo404ZeT17oi4R3fLFummeWehIQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://wanderprints.com/gt383nel1901</a><br /> Worldwide Shipping!<br /> #besties #bff #bestfriends #friendship | Wander Prints Home Decor | 67206 | https://facebook.com/wanderprintsglobal | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56634 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970745 | 65 | 372871655085249 | 1 | 3.6405752604069E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203280981680596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701067771 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406209424_323319663829985_7805210911251763355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nNuowsWdnFQAX8jN8nl&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA500dz_ZeIwLbopW2LFPiJPsBRLklE_RYJoq4SyNJHIA&oe=65883B15 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406213993_1813841009051856_7156307850867674420_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ypw7yfvEm8AX-kVi1H&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAp5eR9QuBAT9sXBMNT8mlm8crVf-BSH9y964H94MgEfQ&oe=6587A6BC | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55508 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970745 | 65 | 240320559077950 | 1 | 8.9676485832985E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765743110465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702392 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409875767_330942076389490_924431818483267414_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ew-PVnDrFJcAX-nFYTB&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBAgCIgoIlrFZ9Z2GOBzADqNFees4mYIW7YjaUQdDFuHg&oe=658876AE | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411125840_851174326687993_1961144210991764876_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rsNQnhPZQYAAX_bsnX0&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA14lphCdkpQnjh85ye2LIDINQXNI97JxrBd-EyFOT_Iw&oe=6587EB3B | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56530 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 3:43 PM | 1703105781 | 1723668206 | 65 | 3575860379397054 | 3 | 3.6750709584826E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748960670115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227680 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404766843_877139470612212_2420077041164537089_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BK6GO4ExyCQAX-DrjiF&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBMG8bbeJzfD81jwPWoJz-FczKXSoib-sA5F_znEyZCkg&oe=65893535 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404779336_1116239806031775_1253871720426640816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Eby7NE_oX7oAX-Z-KWU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA0oQBHKOdXrIYEg0vbeoqEA41QZ6QBBgmcXieNLifvfg&oe=65877FB7 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56873 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970745 | 65 | 141955722343389 | 5 | 2.8800859695267E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1702152333364539 | 0 | Two Red Dots | 120201778908950250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677875 | 1.7021523333645E+15 | Two Red Dots | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403732874_200696603079248_6327002370576212959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c0pVumBRrA4AX8UTqyo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBH0YhFcRdNbLBagLzzNnWi8IPgh747_7P8eZruco9pxw&oe=6588D874 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Two Red Dots | 28460 | https://facebook.com/tworeddots | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55849 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970746 | 65 | 378305334646389 | 1 | 1.0884113192524E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411374470044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702457968 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410711592_926120642243385_5163264695163516289_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jXtp1XnCGe0AX8lMet4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAzpq3y4vfmJtPe13m2-nJFLagti7iOk_fXSuZPAm28KQ&oe=6587D74A | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410637193_1767852886976849_2562341648241639557_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jz1IPrmYGEkAX9_K95v&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBeVMdXxDQL_CSFC7JYg6QVwhj07P0THdl-Yh0rW4qAvg&oe=65881557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56284 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970746 | 65 | 700436915387861 | 2.7496543485083E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259812910 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Primavera Sound Porto | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899308 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408148990_1738764739954579_6555210772721860605_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QZWs7HTbwcMAX99iB66&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdc2TTx27S2IhGH-ZmA5aMQhehulgxhKQAfHb41zByIQ&oe=658835C2 | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408117336_341678005153395_1571411919946523257_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ov1XyUVMQLAAX-3EAIb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDUqRc1LHGk1kK1Xl8-6VzZurApL5oAHUXcq6RHq85uMw&oe=65893525 | 0 | 3 | Primavera Sound Porto returns to Parque da Cidade from the 6th to 8th of June 2024. Around 50 artists confirmed to celebrate the 11th edition! | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56151 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970746 | 65 | 663807149148728 | 1 | 7.2846014917364E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 615410171938741 | 0 | Solid Rock at Market Common | 6536311189735 | NONE | video | Perfect Gifts for Imperfect People | *Part 7 Mary & Martha. | 1702099025 | 6.1541017193874E+14 | Solid Rock at Market Common | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409171378_887634052570992_8672173364702368552_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ed6DgOauBB8AX-Cw2Tl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSplf7_JTH3OEIH20FFWzhH0UUW-kHKHVWFzE3S2eMxQ&oe=658911B2 | person_profile | 0 | Solid Rock at Market Common | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409056671_3105672992897279_7287723783284809790_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v60fTfMwN_cAX96bxdY&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDHuK1dbOV_7nVhIVjvE1AO3GORyAHGhOiqp_C9mRWtMg&oe=658774EB | 0 | 3 | Perfect Gifts for Imperfect People | *Part 7 Mary & Martha.<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> #solidrock #marketcommon #myrtlebeach #communitychurch #perfectgifts #Imperfectpeople #part7 #maryandmartha | Solid Rock at Market Common | 2883 | https://facebook.com/SolidRockMinistriesMB | 0 | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56259 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 5:29 AM | 1703105778 | 1723804157 | 65 | 333720226040828 | 1 | 3.5612625706676E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997311630476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940825 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408013335_355936587090489_9180921881294142631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AFKC99xzHxsAX-0emu3&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAy1mNGoNKzuvTdW5TcSu-vYO8frVjQiyk_qnWHUzPavw&oe=6587FBB7 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408680791_1493653454544428_4129730173115789256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MVyzns1ybjMAX9Z-__g&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBE5vx1_3_KTnMvBVw9RysZtByN_vnie0GXjClv8XUjxA&oe=65885E96 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56902 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970746 | 65 | 366218762717972 | 2.7834020851566E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779365580250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678775 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404286689_2650950335067980_8718050196012372022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T57PZ_o1Z7UAX8VpynF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFaQ38pAkT0L4X2MzcLaw5opIzOjcSAfItfCTMjodKVw&oe=658845FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56011 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970746 | 65 | 311247538403763 | 2.0273732176431E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 142784355782658 | 0 | Deep South Pout | 6558951604651 | deepsouthpout.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Join JB & Morgan LIVE NOW! | https://deepsouthpout.com/ | 1702320077 | 1.4278435578266E+14 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410073210_275810138407830_2942303348987794580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w2dDRK6HV-0AX9dyATi&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfApko7OrvnevUnhZM7kETTOvbABtmtotzikBH_C5Sf2EA&oe=6588B35C | person_profile | 0 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409633380_1195030271458075_1932605632446624090_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sca_awqYRGQAX-3H5rd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB1OKOMlj1Huyziw8hnPNhx7ZlLd5RDTnmqc9Hob2uLPw&oe=6587908B | 0 | 3 | for a sneak peek at our NEW YEAR'S EVE collection! ✨ Elevate your celebrations with glamorous pieces and trendsetting outfits. | Deep South Pout | 86056 | https://facebook.com/DeepSouthPout | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56842 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970746 | 65 | 720829193255864 | 1 | 7.2392996978501E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207953560403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724668 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404661311_294602659562847_365116373861231421_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WpjjEdoUgzoAX-018jw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPiQmzmNqonj8qud6MCrlHDdq68RZNlYLENQRDm9quLw&oe=6588CFD4 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404650678_306257875708369_3018992342074488935_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1BcJv8G4668AX-tXXzS&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6FUz_OJnkfRX9BKLf_AAypDLUe3UbQymHIxhjB90zEQ&oe=6587A3F1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55432 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 7:55 AM | 1703105769 | 1750942522 | 65 | 1544494786365121 | 3.75085856848E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534471647573 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898371 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411133811_3514292242145933_584050983302642923_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5UpkMmeZ4R8AX_2nwXr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBok5FjAbv4VMfR5FZNsjIbQMIrD9ffgYAsc_XZaEf-Ew&oe=6587616C | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412302863_744853957495109_8908422657099145833_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3xHBv1T9OMgAX9G8wqf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDV_pxhP0-Zuq6Wq3WR2zH9q-_lN5lwQfEjg7c1-FwPqw&oe=6588893F | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT2BbrRxEItRv6X6Z3yuizqwTYnXhwr0vBjNfdumGllS1Ljy5VVPaaBobKya4BZ0fqrlwI5-EhDTiGhK7hrC6FqGqwcwbIFEY4cvjhvAUfXXPwwTQOGvLllvbMMWpEMW_Z9td46w4CTwac98kyVlMa71vvw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT0vzlR1DkyVPE_GR_0dX7VpJR4DwAB7NQn1TyT7OtCS-rH8qKBpQuzNbXMQpBBxXKEPbKGZfhsrw9G-yYqOjVclBEpAw0sTXiyjA4wvfx4fPOASqUj0LGaKYM7-0t83VX7v1PZCB2w19L7Xjn_mPRBbmss" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT2DdpthHCWkU5D7cuc95SMGvnrZaQyokdW9nkgXBEf9av30XmC9In7iwCOmivrFZNAhu8F3j6iAIaG3kXIoFMBxQpyMxfy_cOZQOxxf8Sm2dVDw65uPVyEn_mFLx6l5MbaNt587FReY8wYKAThmMHBXwhaUZhijei76oiUN" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56459 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970746 | 65 | 1496359380932496 | 2 | 7.3378963530712E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497705070404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357862 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406347953_1085848376199781_2233872934505986953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j9Jhek0t-GcAX_2G9e3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3bqyoiaStleErwN3_ZiMOy2c-1LgDM22BccT-Tiq8uA&oe=65877605 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406270131_272773922017125_5687449104301683499_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IwXuF2_D06IAX-mKwLo&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6q3OfaTVb4cx84wbUc9R3QOsMIcPLfOWI6aAvNATJMA&oe=6587ECD8 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56429 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970746 | 65 | 378730514580504 | 1 | 3.1893348442181E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200735068640540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701419128 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405336116_1545598202924905_3997978781662231756_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KBUiK7ngz3wAX-0nYXN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB38kaIzIivbg7J67SwB5yLj2Hd0TDvDRsc0_J_o3HUSQ&oe=658858FE | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405228890_664727969165239_58690182396371154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iGtChruLwdkAX_OXC-o&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDt4V28nUtf60pi906PscxrRtZRjlXqfJmGC3eer4C9qw&oe=65888B4A | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56667 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970746 | 65 | 7631621500188482 | 1 | 3.130268182471E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690730300115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056073 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405684267_316602774476257_6546158148537696078_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XwKIWB9X_1oAX-9ECjH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBNQDjqohoAt0PRfGzTfJwBIA51x0GYYc9BEEXJMO-MRA&oe=65882E56 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405605587_189649020806061_4910077603482958185_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0BjEq0VeD7UAX_7-bGZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAozQJQin0AUSYH-UO8JnfkOSqBkCRO2CleL0l5T3TjEg&oe=65887064 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56038 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 11:38 AM | 1703105776 | 1723307912 | 65 | 692951535936611 | 1 | 1.0041175773246E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498246310278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287836 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583137_1385926655348005_1257338174878429796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WmHcsjoDYWYAX-CYWH-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBpqg6qm1ldo-H9q17ojlQsD2KVY3LIyZG-1Xca1b3pMQ&oe=6587EB28 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410238421_714712073929839_2675286043389757889_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yfe0o0okBy8AX8aQDU9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAb-47bO4sYWnmT6LGRYAOb1xKT_rJVeiBnWvv7Q_SczA&oe=65885E2B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56142 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/30/24, 12:46 AM | 1703105777 | 1724996793 | 65 | 915387356592202 | 3 | 7.6676914194409E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155281760476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094518 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409111705_1058100838736410_8233990693345152833_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OTVoDw-B72sAX8zma0R&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6yrElgXE_1g2Zmur0a3KUSD64zNfERTnwmnemIe5NIQ&oe=6587C208 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409064987_1974172149606998_7441267663253878464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XKKm9wYlSIQAX926lHF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBkPxBAIKUzhPnp3a-_lCLLvLrimTUyMaGzVjkQRq2FGw&oe=65877766 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55958 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105775 | 1743230708 | 65 | 719757443422204 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207704697460456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702388795 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921258_368470942332915_6353569286914453825_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cTcLHzWzpOoAX8pIQJH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCHVjNsMeW1z037jPMk499oelozgQuTh7QwrAaDjySweA&oe=6587E916 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55989 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970748 | 65 | 350365237690944 | 1 | 2.9013772015988E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205057535530427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702370903 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410234597_345652294855975_2269583192749116436_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bUi5iThbLPIAX-qIfVP&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC8VsuYd9s6JTEXpMdxASMpz5bSn6gYQHvAY7Q3VZewiQ&oe=65891D6C | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410270735_1078948406446605_6366078462541195746_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y5Sju5IFZrIAX_1lmLh&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAqqTs3lZtP7bXaKCsfjFjmUsNGVWk7C4QfX-xIHuq79Q&oe=6587FDB2 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56302 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970748 | 65 | 1288156998515184 | 1 | 1.095694508102E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458683640691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856377 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408479010_367509258982288_1494022973746311760_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x4bBzN2ybawAX_DJ8p7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBepTw_22PgUtWkNaL1GhFNH7SHX2RfrHg0sXBJ5A_4Xw&oe=6589131B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406790547_1008326300248319_4201438284371492083_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U53VgRm37twAX_Llsh8&_nc_oc=AQl_iaycT1R_YrN7Vg2ewNjhXBZdmhZiTLpwU8Dl9oKpK8mA4jQDsF9nXIv7Bz8N_M5pZHxoHsKxa3JJC2ULGMa7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDCvxYqAYxE2Dam5iNdJrswn9x_aIjQ6iX8I4Vy3hGCSQ&oe=65893E6E | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56710 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970748 | 65 | 3623896747889536 | 1 | 2.5148833518049E+16 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674071990115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700970073 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403633908_582926160639581_2939679685080551929_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNGixPYW8oEAX88KZSW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC17ehDwKdjNxEhH0u_Va1dtAYnuL4AtmnubNGds8hcrw&oe=658825BB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403689609_1100834104613808_9157559898819072034_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5cCntUqeJ4YAX_9a6Pq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLZpyTr4vUiuyzGXvru5-l9KFZdKwW1NL-Fy_nCj8VBA&oe=65881EB9 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56871 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970748 | 65 | 1275980146426593 | 1 | 3.1829295430231E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111590884348619 | 0 | Scoolinary | 120203949326570679 | scoolinary.com/christmas-desserts | Watch more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.scoolinary.com/courses/christmas-desserts | 1700678817 | 1.1159088434862E+14 | Scoolinary | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402664058_720056699997645_854940460759025271_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AR6I3OI53zQAX-q_ITE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAGGbFmvbjMhJFuJfc49A4bimBeDwR1YPsQFybJsn3zbg&oe=6588FD4E | person_profile | 0 | scoolinary_en | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402659285_1029081084871036_5158437725605398841_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5czgVDI3f6oAX8iuEya&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAriuc1rJK_Dww9OaD3xsOOhQEEIkW1EPLT_aLuCg6Xng&oe=658915C7 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Scoolinary | 180515 | https://facebook.com/ScoolinaryEN | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55479 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970748 | 65 | 389212306872236 | 1 | 1.0797528230445E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 204803726204058 | 0 | Unity of Santa Barbara | 120204166918830002 | All Holy Night | INTERESTED | NONE | event | All Holy Night | Join us for All Holy Night on Friday, December 22nd at 7 PM, as we celebrate Christmas, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and even Festivus! The candlelight service features Noreen Brokke, the Unity Singers, Sharon Hendrix, Joanna Lynn-Jacobs, and Jim Mooy! | https://www.facebook.com/events/760036262601476/ | 1702826315 | 2.0480372620406E+14 | Unity of Santa Barbara | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411665705_593312929602780_1630374825042103712_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hRmKL1umCOAAX9XiH43&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDKLb_IkFAv2T1Ob1yfW3a3CuIvH3K3Ivhwma3XnctTNQ&oe=65878095 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Unity of Santa Barbara for All Holy Night on Friday, December 22nd at 7 PM, as we celebrate Christmas, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and even Festivus! The candlelight service features Noreen Brokke, the Unity Singers, Sharon Hendrix, Joanna Lynn-Jacobs, and Jim Mooy! | Unity of Santa Barbara | 1148 | https://facebook.com/unityofsb | 0 | EVENT_RSVP | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56188 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970748 | 65 | 1281608559201520 | 1 | 3.383970355849E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672500310427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030359 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408990170_884630293300435_3740761784397217551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M6tdWr4waxYAX_9Fw4l&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCl48g6EqSzfgPqdQJiwvae3jtnYdqY-KZMeBLZ89Gkcw&oe=6587DE59 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408980966_1524222668337845_3170312655558723381_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vRkCSeIzOMMAX-1ifm5&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDvm7KWzRbEEeCqpS87kWz4XquIo6hlG5IfTK3H4ieJRw&oe=6588A524 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56103 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970748 | 65 | 908260490185492 | 1 | 2.430526737912E+16 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259677210476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180943 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409744844_895554451699188_1792231570865802972_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OzAwleIxBOgAX-lpZLi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAqcKxmOxwfriXDZgDu6M1EAuY96aoI-JBOblbzq28SPg&oe=65875757 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409720603_319778044234472_6165223045847147198_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fYV7Wayqx2gAX9oU580&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCe2EI2EnNmQ5iX6oQnUFtATUhz8f4c1sES8KM-G4l10g&oe=6588AABF | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55559 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970748 | 65 | 1552687838887725 | 2 | 8.9287584543981E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011776110506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636968 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411475733_341727688604559_8830871844707035727_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rpx5n18NR9oAX-tVFhN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJfuMw4Ayrezu9TswkxFgK6Y0TG7BNi1JT-4whXUfgPQ&oe=6587F792 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410121309_2820929521388154_1615499266252079908_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3QW58f1GDj8AX-ERJx6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBsTfCLHQOvZCeg_mZZEz393VgoRrrcwYhpLgwmag_kWg&oe=6588AA7D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56036 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970749 | 65 | 1383952315839549 | 1 | 1.0240426455395E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 127476470446919 | 0 | Hats & Cats | 120202148443150239 | yachtsandcars.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.yachtsandcars.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702292970 | 1.2747647044692E+14 | Hats & Cats | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408597564_376803211659483_4357316411425203398_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IWLmrk0A8xwAX_JbAA2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDmwR64gBt3hZTbtGvrl9OGspM5NgwX6hZYlhzn7nf72w&oe=658854E6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Hats & Cats | 101 | https://facebook.com/61551481071229 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56515 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970749 | 65 | 1357266398247411 | 5 | 3.6876741415128E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202102926310728 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250802 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406222540_1467596627147981_6379004189642961006_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gq98t3BqjAAAX9pvVVj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXUeTeZoFUJMBPh8OFpzPl3cbfzhySIZbK4e95iond2A&oe=6587C412 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55845 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970749 | 65 | 929764845390439 | 1 | 2.0475378556234E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411462240044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458224 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410798793_364514356127995_6023408150840240252_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nyyoaI7UnUQAX-KUrqv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfADldeij0eKXHbuONzDpXmcPG4LV7K_CMolelX9TbzV-w&oe=65882D36 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410507940_320719434127907_2312588346557258996_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5ikY0bqtoRAAX-5pKMv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDkXR4rzRXt5vO4AcR_nzS7BijfqlhRxUveanAPCPWELw&oe=6587D468 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56042 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970749 | 65 | 2793350004138337 | 6.2046944346265E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498173600278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287787 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409536016_222374774232505_8301639972843371638_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ucg-CNHzmmUAX8ElFM0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDRYs2vIOcLpMlVyJrpgzyYCAh2a-eiq4GTzZbyxj5J_A&oe=6587BAA3 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409665440_682093044030352_2582738063934915882_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=adJ-Jj2cuoEAX_omgrX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3AYrOmA_kWGx75enBoRR7FOBzHWQVFqTfUYS9DIbe5A&oe=6588B053 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56139 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970749 | 65 | 721333203388752 | 1 | 6.8174442375813E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155241300476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094420 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409060969_1149282389418705_2024113360885916664_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PRnGmTX7DLAAX9CiMsV&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDKoWwemAiTMUozXEY3I-k-NRCyzjOcrMfpbxc4IPB89Q&oe=658896B7 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408745115_2136564940044473_2322500962494543947_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YWyUuCspbNQAX8I71tM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAKVS-vl8rN9rX8FefZchjBShk5qGi52sYaqczDlFIv0g&oe=65886ECF | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55816 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/17/24, 4:56 AM | 1703105773 | 1723888587 | 65 | 695072419062569 | 1 | 8.9108006267618E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169501590427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462435 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410373590_325780203600322_8548129739162008406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vTdWNOj6IYYAX9y56S9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBxeuiK17cPlMWec7eMyQrWVtN74Rl9dcsUbcf1HW30CQ&oe=6588E298 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410402361_1165289081379347_6846087414232385231_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PJGCc4g5MGQAX-Fc5Rr&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDyjOWn8ieuA-P8NgYQ06B_u311AX9JPvSyAyVgf6uGSw&oe=65888684 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55504 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970749 | 65 | 1487956331772959 | 1 | 3.6005480656006E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 135920782945449 | 0 | Lavie clinic MI | 120201799738110587 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"ctm_lead_gen_new","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"How much does this cost?"},{"title":"I'm interested. Can you tell me more?"},{"title":"Can I book an appointment?"}],"quick_replies":[],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Ready to look and feel your best? Let's get started!"}},"image_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"template","payload":{"template_type":"generic","elements":[{"title":"","buttons":[]}]}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Ready to look and feel your best? Let's get started!"}},"video_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"video","payload":{"attachment_id":""}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Ready to look and feel your best? Let's get started!"}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"visual_editor_new","ctm_lead_gen_template_id":"168943552976505","template_id":"3561642080743920"} | 1702739344 | 1.3592078294545E+14 | Lavie clinic MI | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409861326_1386533978616708_6754632275410845377_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NZqn3UMp6ZgAX81g_n2&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVcpz1Obfd3wkyEexT4-tImZd3TJoNoiTqr-HCXJbB9A&oe=6588059E | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409837340_674554421513765_1003049305351159219_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0C0hRbzFmmcAX_-TEjr&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDbytxfgzDzsTxNwHH5sGPMScysP99k8mv_laGF_0rWPA&oe=6587F529 | 0 | 3 | 🌟 Transform your hair this holiday season! At La Vie Aesthetic Clinic, we're offering an unbeatable 20% discount on our Hair PRP Treatment packages. Seize this opportunity to rejuvenate your hair with the best care, now at an extraordinary value. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer – your journey to luscious, healthy hair starts here! 💇♀️✨💸 | Lavie clinic MI | 12 | https://facebook.com/61552729713461 | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56143 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970749 | 65 | 1013067016650565 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155243840476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094429 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408469750_361568350092022_1651678729944920333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=03MXgUHkAgYAX-UcRFq&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAA6Z4BYMIb1EVlq9puSJnuTVVVW6ycjCtS80Qmr6wYyg&oe=65891FB5 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408468428_371158461974935_5180552434352697366_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mN5YOoYBwucAX_Zmn4Z&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCuPgTEl-flNn75IZT87ezyGUFHwggIwUt9hiAS6_yXhw&oe=65880CF9 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56934 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970749 | 65 | 752452323380521 | 5 | 6.8579776031172E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779358230250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678748 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404275079_681458767299748_350875266989297425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0G9UJq-pK7UAX_6Ol3g&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCSj1Y0cA6QXB4H2p947wUE_j5AeaVe9iWKdv1FYiYomw&oe=6588E8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56256 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970749 | 65 | 256448274108337 | 1 | 2.743502785532E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997389200476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940777 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408680151_1529214724559710_5948386958960298730_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oyKg6DFLko8AX_PnBUA&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBqrGdcYJAAxnpXLdQ_plCtwcHufQk6ApeH1Qmbvzri5g&oe=6587A83F | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408001083_736238011686852_1856964123767387613_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sI4ho-m9YqgAX_9Ge53&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAc_A-cpeXrAEYMV7ifVQF0rfGehKNfE7BqqQ4iVALifw&oe=65879A61 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55814 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970749 | 65 | 794549729363735 | 1 | 2.9817107654852E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509791220308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462352 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409567932_1066346618028114_295340944788776363_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jfvwyKPcQ5YAX_4vpdJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCwz0O7F0vDtnfGSNZuo8JCqR5UXSOwxDUGxmaPz_q1sg&oe=658915A1 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409854569_382232127607024_6086688879730052449_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XUiZQ_72fRgAX8n1ZRW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3MDDHdN97JKYZMIti-bLDWXeOdj6TV3FL8iiGIbaztA&oe=65877C53 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55970 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970750 | 65 | 1095127064727557 | 3.6635276607399E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 520171088019503 | 0 | Liforme | 6572587199864 | NONE | image | 1702381746 | 5.201710880195E+14 | Liforme | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409737722_896603635462927_9190100317724444159_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OGRZKHxrXc8AX9EXmIf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCOr6GAOJSFN_1Xn_eZKzY05bXbJj64GL8k4KTK6vt-zA&oe=6588A90B | person_profile | 0 | Liforme Yoga | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409759602_325226696955161_3522389432997282893_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N7JdLqZ_I2oAX9hweX9&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBZ8clc1M1txLMK1ino2uPc3r5noges21-J-nVcwnhzSQ&oe=65876B1C | 0 | 3 | Looking for the ultimate Yogi gift? 💝<br /> <br /> For a gift as unique as they are, you can design your very own custom Liforme X You Yoga mat using our innovative, first-of-its-kind Yoga Mat customiser. <br /> <br /> Matching custom mats are pretty cute, but you can also go for a Liforme X You gift card and let them pick out the colours, alignment guides, and themes that make up their own perfect mat. <br /> <br /> Treat yourself or a loved one. Personalised Yoga practice awaits! Link in bio! 🛠️<br /> <br /> Sending our love and thanks to @facetka_od_jogi and @iamthecode pictured here on a Liforme x You Custom Yoga mat. Special thanks to @lekko_store and @Joanna.kepa.foto for the beautiful shot! ❤️🙏<br /> <br /> <br /> #liforme #yoga #yogamat #liveformore #Yogi #yogaeverydamnday #customyogamat #customgifts | Liforme | 118723 | https://facebook.com/LiformeYoga | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56950 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/23/25, 6:29 AM | 1703105786 | 1745407773 | 65 | 883137286681583 | 1 | 1.0312441814895E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117390571392405 | 0 | The Crafty Collective | 120201779044350250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678046 | 1.1739057139240E+14 | The Crafty Collective | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404637394_874134317488488_4149464323234343922_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gIHJT3KaM3EAX9PqxDw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDl5jv7oIBZsoswvWrh65FyBb7AAI5eEpS9rOkZoCiMVg&oe=65892788 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | The Crafty Collective | 824 | https://facebook.com/100094121992035 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56726 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970750 | 65 | 898208155301528 | 1 | 3.4974605089998E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 733844546757862 | 0 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | 120201031232540465 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Waco! | Chip and Joanna Gaines used their "Fixer Upper" success to transform Waco, Texas, into a tourist hot spot. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0pYGtXwo?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1700902613 | 7.3384454675786E+14 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406024755_357953186726871_262273596234865588_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dqsOlxSaQzQAX-1h7LR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB4n5QlGWaQb0QrK-C9TkmBCjJNGDuo44ayQAZsWkdwDQ&oe=65882FBF | person_profile | 0 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404634201_3657139671197370_2450622213615906047_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6Ji0Yv6Q2lQAX_hpbVB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAh_Z8kkRvGzS1ZpjSxQn7aO3nZcL7pUQKTR3zpGeMHXA&oe=6589032C | 0 | 3 | Waco News: Chip Gaines 'can't believe' he and Joanna made Waco a hot spot. Some locals aren't sure where they fit into it. | Waco, TX Local - News Break | 4288 | https://facebook.com/WacoTXLocal | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55841 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970750 | 65 | 3617487821903838 | 1 | 3.275751234646E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411464700044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458239 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409717300_744385547023898_8601431042710668503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a3rMryvnGpMAX91Ykhj&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBSmo145ZyDMHH6fyQNqfzQAR-_NIv5r36rjybANopEcQ&oe=6587DDF5 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409733300_962503028822689_4119507948842435556_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F623PVnFITkAX_PjDzW&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB6gO6yM44L670ocXZYt7ED13fl18eohoFjsqtUty-QiQ&oe=65885A98 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56324 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970750 | 65 | 292973103728223 | 1 | 8.5402295284455E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120201192592290773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701840571 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407839148_236646562780320_2658373879823110478_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jKvzVQCIoVoAX9m8lcK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfByAoCj8o6o0peL3P0M_4y01d9dVfd6mWSSnz1BZdQIdg&oe=658784B6 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407735950_314718354736131_2623913644201637456_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jtQNlsdOhBAAX-865ay&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmCBut8eZEY8So5GFLy3-raDOZcpf4i31DbuF8EWGQsA&oe=6587FE3B | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56135 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970750 | 65 | 595933649326023 | 1 | 3.256986703199E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155473150476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094749 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409647310_399188082455896_3549744909070485745_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bsMUy6liLDYAX_WT6A3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCPV5PvgkAiBYl-N3xwWDkpFQK8RnTiEs3Wt0zBOg3PNw&oe=65886921 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409443552_1051531569387173_5099635104481777050_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4VhMyb_HGn4AX_3QDiM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAmGFTo-tXBZHUfFPNTjvUFizSUsty9nSu09QCI2CXj9w&oe=65877528 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55818 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970751 | 65 | 368132602551869 | 1 | 3.0868299210975E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169414070427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462171 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409721876_199125886599105_1589237875225215921_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w2O42DpXWsAAX9_11EJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkWTz5Z-Knvhqd6BrCduwa7E3szoU6zWyhp65yMT3xCg&oe=65890965 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409700256_738347227679634_3652169204669765812_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=izuAQLO-gdQAX82AC6Z&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFK76gesGSlEW3-KzcbopfHfuRBVR63JmndCf_LtT-1Q&oe=6587C2C4 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55821 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/21/24, 5:23 AM | 1703105773 | 1732188223 | 65 | 1808438282948000 | 1 | 8.7456742388505E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169347590427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462139 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409405524_885148493137167_4416742043054489388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bFf0-cXBuW8AX-KJT6P&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkxGK5Crx2iHLgrdUQTPHV9siYnE0LK2W6UeY0MR0a2A&oe=6587C643 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409704062_1085453286147383_2836493414105698137_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ct-qZmcABY4AX8CUpGa&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCj6dOmq7MjNoEWevFnk_VYrykhrMxe6ZHVOTgCLaZymg&oe=6587B626 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56058 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/13/25, 11:51 PM | 1703105776 | 1749876719 | 65 | 1031428471402891 | 2 | 3.6443256627351E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974536780427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287523 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409684176_1054543759210636_3449602207202701849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OcPf7A5N8hwAX_etyYg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQAvX6RTCd--QunlU-nQQifDjeOKfkMTyC-Pm5wAyaoQ&oe=65885551 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406524762_721662042893687_4084809078580757484_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=J1YIllXSPd4AX9jCGHD&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBk0HYAIaSbliJz7Kl4BygBxeYbftIVoYLpVz4xi8IaFg&oe=65889CD3 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55647 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970751 | 65 | 1467634103961407 | 1 | 2.5345389752251E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102643112351705 | 0 | Modern Families | 120202325428330088 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Renovation Revelations: Former “Fixer Upper” Clients Tell All About Their Experience On The Show By: Lilli Keeve | Last updated: Aug 31, 2022 Originally Published on trendymatter.com and repurposed with permissions During its run from 2013 to 2018, the hit renovation reality show “Fixer Upper.... | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555536 | 1.0264311235170E+14 | Modern Families | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409789516_889299389370097_5030170053145137122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eLHWbL7XWu0AX8zDjcE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOeLedC5phXxHQYEsj9PutmoRfeqESybKHfkvn4kvJtQ&oe=6587ACB8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Modern Families | 6186 | https://facebook.com/100078199183097 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56568 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970751 | 65 | 883140746409350 | 1 | 7.2523549577269E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300675310596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151777 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404610262_628165609531977_7060661774473576697_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w8sdn7DqMtsAX8pqY7U&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzSqDbR_eirayW1vEt73oqrBw9yeZiaUNCpvCsacsK2A&oe=65876A92 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404607285_652635843726117_5818305055933373336_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3dJ2efMQkjYAX-KsKFo&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRuUxTAIFHBhqbjRlWLciMuw-OQSuqJykTp6aqGdGoEg&oe=6588BBE0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56140 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970751 | 65 | 731619698842200 | 2 | 9.8798170229994E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155277550476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094518 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408754354_24737486685842310_2077318121011804122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e9gdWIopdj4AX_dVKIF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDALgnabGvcCAONVbCfr_KG7bBhwEWmlztR60fcvksMeg&oe=65889E3C | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408764281_1469234123933644_1766066284561923871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gfJmsCqg-0kAX9Z0xrL&_nc_oc=AQnyTwddO696oB-geEUdKlBrLLtl7wGuvq-liNzd839BjnQKiQZez4LvkwCL6k7U7Ik&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAcJCpB-Kdo3ycM_tdXhdGi-SP3w61bWcWPH22c4jCdlQ&oe=658903DA | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55608 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970752 | 65 | 141814739024540 | 1 | 2.9495788017808E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063966820729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702610944 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411068006_3423239454489466_6883659064944956928_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z1xcErBXSe0AX-Sw-Kd&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAHnV-T-GgX_wNtfGo5FIQUIq62hhdDkWOAFeP0ahxSCg&oe=65882A16 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411133405_794681452179277_1952608531292753656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_WcqdT5_fkIAX_EUJ8-&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfD2GYgBFJIq8nIgqGg3EvKw3zEsVwtTWW8ufvDBiDtuYg&oe=65883E39 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56278 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970752 | 65 | 254670770955761 | 2.6439084330318E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202295955390520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701921711 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407699122_379555834519618_6593534411702928034_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hXCZboR3VhUAX_VgvAH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxWrs3eLKKn6DxIJJa4B9IAmVLDCkIz5I4GKrAokzy8w&oe=65887A46 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55334 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970753 | 65 | 734636898695343 | 1 | 7.3912956430688E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207261496080777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702967539 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412399802_352560694042571_3415774952246362533_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i9SOKjaRKnQAX8RQtMR&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6E6SGL2A9q036-FRllzB2rziIM_FQFvvP_2_JGU0ocw&oe=6588E094 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412618743_1791945047894431_7528383932997898592_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6FINcc0h9skAX-jS4zn&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC8k02zyQp1iU8jfyPxU1utHv3uwaScDsq6iqe7bFK8aA&oe=658933C4 | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55443 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970753 | 65 | 2431735427033126 | 10 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202488703860307 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702880607 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412209661_1046693789981529_9151953720572207140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WoDCMTxYEAQAX-9FyxD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCj69kqO5dJUKn6yLSCbKenPce34nKAzfjPEh9N1nH4JQ&oe=65876AFB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56014 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970753 | 65 | 1352121075696757 | 4 | 1.0169349527236E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216190820123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310369 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410234595_331400939669185_7533684778979422177_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ezawksBuOosAX-LuHGK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBYlgKXIkUjz4XQBCcfo1y96lfvdiBOpsKvsxvpynxdOw&oe=658891B1 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410298116_1529386294490725_7294568128917258812_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tfu6a_qS9cMAX_mi6BK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCuzmPiawxyAZjXcYvWPJPJROpzUVB2K3z0-x_wh-WOCQ&oe=6587F023 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55337 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970754 | 65 | 3743729245859226 | 1 | 2.1357730505582E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207260708180777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | image | The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702966498 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411215273_886364009811422_6417724911092475012_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TAkFlOgBJvQAX_UC2a1&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNCgQTXUWuaCPR4D9obcb1s7NfGi1lad5tsi0ckdiihw&oe=65885AE7 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412386930_316263004655738_6941786364494540224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O0WGc9S8bt8AX-M3-sx&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAZTNpTdCeVhwDrWVRVusd_gt0p5OMuQLrFiIRjkX-UCQ&oe=65883F9A | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55803 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970754 | 65 | 323515620529968 | 1 | 1.0642963880591E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105041535100669 | 0 | Laurens County, SC | 120207801266040456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Laurens County! | I went to Big Boys BBQ in Joanna, South Carolina. It's a popular restaurant known for its delicious Southern BBQ. I visited in June 2019 and one customer had a strong impression, despite the lack of reviews on TripAdvisor. The restaurant was praised for its amazing pulled pork, which they claimed wa... | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0q9RrUHf?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702463196 | 1.0504153510067E+14 | Laurens County, SC | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409700061_3641213456127359_1443503775441255027_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xCNJAKJ9X_8AX8RelYe&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDfLG-dGCU_RvFirvipFBwEHCFxy0P28yB6vThkuvxowQ&oe=6588EA28 | person_profile | 0 | Laurens County, SC | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699564_1039973720583621_7059476525221830094_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wz-HeCT8NbEAX_dHuRj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBh4C130U_fPeOL4Ye4YwB_-N01an3hyUn43_urMv6jFA&oe=6587B947 | 0 | 3 | Laurens County News: This Place in Joanna, South Carolina, Is Offering Mouthwatering BBQ Delights You Can't Miss. | Laurens County, SC | 117 | https://facebook.com/100068621805767 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56792 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970754 | 65 | 662784766036270 | 1 | 2.0629466251583E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 330511345659 | 0 | PARMA Recordings | 120201118662920156 | NONE | image | PARMA Recordings | We make music. It sounds terrific. | https://facebook.com/PARMArecordings | 1700841646 | 330511345659 | PARMA Recordings | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404607073_692473319300024_3012517918321741207_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G8r0KMDtxT8AX8ot0BZ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCpzmh3r_edfVDaARGVyJSneONPUF0-917PzRf-8Lbbpg&oe=6587E760 | person_profile | 0 | PARMA Recordings | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405559420_1035425467703752_4189569119101773428_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vgZY_dv5NW0AX_dfDAe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQDazAVNtf3DQDjrPyOfjvlIU90nSjq4rHNeqzZEvZPQ&oe=6588787E | 0 | 3 | LONDON CELLO CONNECTION from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Ovidiu-Marinescu/100063619568048/">Ovidiu Marinescu</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/londonsymphonyorchestra">London Symphony Orchestra</a> is "a highly technical display of contemporary sounds" says <a href="https://www.facebook.com/takeeffectreviews">Take Effect Reviews</a>. Read their full review of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/navonarecords">Navona Records</a> release here.<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftakeeffectreviews.com%2Fnovember-2023-2%2F2023%2F11%2F13%2Fvarious-artists-1&h=AT0bIOw1Cy98cfN8HhtD0PDmkNSCyr8T7-kc9ZVqvGAsoF6VMXtiVm4nRFF_FnYr0tQx-MmOqsnphGctNeSRVkn1VkXMQVwSvH-Pqxdsti-KH3DuzoWvPd1XmKQzep2ZyqWUGPt93O0ajOJo54TbAA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://takeeffectreviews.com/november-2023-2/2023/11/13/various-artists-1</a> | PARMA Recordings | 6313 | https://facebook.com/PARMArecordings | 0 | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56583 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:07 AM | 1703105782 | 1746702437 | 65 | 1099091808139291 | 1 | 1.1927144683551E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 119816401108725 | 0 | Complete Day Magazine | 120200984171550257 | falafelandcaviar.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Los productores intentaron ocultar esto al público durante mucho tiempo, pero ahora, Joanna no solo rompió el silencio sobre su esposo, sino que también supimos lo que sucedió detrás de escena que terminó el programa. | Fixer Upper de HGTV es uno de los reality shows inmobiliarios más populares de todos los tiempos. Chip y Joanna Gaines se han vuelto súper famosos gracias a sus papeles en la presentación del programa súper popular y a las celebridades por derecho propio. Pero cuando su matrimonio comenzó a des... | https://falafelandcaviar.com/desarrollarse-verdad-j5-ext/ | 1701108970 | 1.1981640110872E+14 | Complete Day Magazine | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404670057_671834515095456_4332834205999626569_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uEdSlb2cgtYAX_DJ0TN&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCPFDkS9JlpKoJt8svWd0AUgG56MljYKTwL3aBqHpaZZw&oe=65875239 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fixer Upper's Dark Downers: Los secretos ocultos detrás del exitoso programa de televisión | Complete Day Magazine | 45 | https://facebook.com/100092596243928 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56168 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970754 | 65 | 281805297726500 | 1 | 6.0122092877639E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 256859647665050 | 0 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 120202865240440363 | jmazurkiewiczauthor.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Mafia Romance Bundle 6 Ebooks for $26! | Get it directly from the author! | https://jmazurkiewiczauthor.com/products/mafia-romance-collection-6-ebooks | 1702046995 | 2.5685964766505E+14 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406744164_7314215938609767_9017813179341566440_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b9wfU9yU5aQAX88XYy4&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBUNDDg2-1C1TgYUf1H5-sQTkjG9Z08RgE02KPt0PTFMw&oe=65876725 | person_profile | 0 | JMazurkiewicz 🖌Fantasy Author | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406750080_385528627165940_8226084470394893972_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rtxltV1vg4EAX-18_TO&_nc_oc=AQly4CtF7Lpv07P1mdNuENuESph3GtqLh43wjntpDIm-5PikV8lxH7Z7ay5PkHQSjmYUqudtHQIgQjpqf8KR4-qM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASxLh25WEMRylLb6-AoAGXVucelaxuScDiTU9kovM6RA&oe=65893FF4 | 0 | 3 | 🌹💔Poor Merry thinks she's broken because no guy can make her have the big O. Turns out she just needed Daddy, uhm I mean Ivo. When his sons couldn't do it it for her, Daddy stepped on and stepped up. He proved to her she's far from broken. I'm definitely reading the rest of their story.🔥🎁 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 5423 | https://facebook.com/joannamazauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56138 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970755 | 65 | 683574713934748 | 1 | 6.7101061850574E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155287280476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094592 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408766973_236005432838202_4588692010416318520_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qluG7WPyK-gAX-xi5o3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQnpIEQCSesdH-mTU5Oa8bzEvVjoATSrTTsZIZS_V9dA&oe=6587D687 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408816933_2346091905578590_8958343998912382784_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=czD1JQHlnFAAX8UedcJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2C32mqJ5q-NWxAxxA5_xQ7oyrfV7j6eoo7gpAMTvCOg&oe=65881F8A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56764 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970755 | 65 | 322640487286547 | 1 | 3.632222695538E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343768570404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843457 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403757736_1451304512107535_2020381066659176222_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IoNT56iJHTIAX8yOM7F&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpGOBXGsQwu4pZWYYiFXZ-JziHHtty8m9nanQh8hqb1w&oe=658851A2 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403755145_375041968293104_3926547408017744366_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9L_aWBhlkSAAX_pohMj&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfANNvmfvH1s0f8kqV-xY2DIJT15WoXP4VZUHxuNkceG6g&oe=65881E42 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56491 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970756 | 65 | 1478714542986336 | 1 | 3.4603470479218E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103544175294139 | 0 | Traveler Dreams Fantasy | 120200918609770030 | falafelandcaviar.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper's Dark Downers: Los secretos ocultos detrás del exitoso programa de televisión | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://falafelandcaviar.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-cz-ext/ | 1701239027 | 1.0354417529414E+14 | Traveler Dreams Fantasy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406710357_1531616774081769_939138388670141748_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lamTLTnvz-EAX9meNJp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBjRcVSUXOPgvlkiw1gYlVUCM-hZAVEELcAz91czdQ7Ow&oe=658761CE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fixer Upper al Descubierto: Los Aspectos Oscuros del Programa que no Conocías | Traveler Dreams Fantasy | 602 | https://facebook.com/100069258408355 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56769 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970756 | 65 | 363796526312616 | 1 | 6.8171877817073E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343744480404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843446 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405544848_7027106610735895_2655429592733156373_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bcWPvvQhVz8AX9g2Grn&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxZDscBnIt_r53YQfMZW7FwBGdzoDp2A31jMxuN9W2HQ&oe=65884E83 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405559045_1015446859708714_4905458001072768483_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XY41YsMAPDcAX-ywtnL&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9FuQY9yAE6PL_lqu8pDyAYAywzjGzX3pQtbTX7gcnYw&oe=65875380 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56468 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970757 | 65 | 282789964318217 | 3 | 1.0508745226186E+15 | 1701763200 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 109080568825640 | 0 | Family Store A1 | 120201429985640521 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D6 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1701347457 | 1.0908056882564E+14 | Family Store A1 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406592544_665000459080877_7451001322317262672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YMBn4Q32LUkAX_sgQSv&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC8MeF61rag7mrg-YzBARYk3s70piLJmkdO5qUgMwOlQg&oe=6587D1B3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0pSZLMvGjuhf-adAiFKdr94Wi08FAh89RM8o7aJKAcdesJEqY2YDiIaELFIwNTeW7Lg1oXLCQiocFxRCTowXoymnGd1aOO5X_PaWJ0nrLrd6cfhtPboKWRsamh6E003QHWq-CLdaeWSWGaUkuWo_srYn4" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Store A1 | 34 | https://facebook.com/100091830608558 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55405 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970757 | 65 | 891464658890490 | 1 | 1.062497818327E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 181527701879568 | 0 | Kingston Brass Inc. | 120202983018480477 | kingstonbrass.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Picking the Exact Placement for a Pot Filler Faucet | Kingston Brass | Choosing the right placement for your pot filler will ensure optimal convenience and assistance in the kitchen. | https://www.kingstonbrass.com/blogs/blog/picking-the-exact-placement-for-a-pot-filler-faucet | 1702930954 | 1.8152770187957E+14 | Kingston Brass Inc. | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411153574_1553161628842287_4598043466212133516_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4e-DwVSl2DIAX_iUg-O&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD1YzvfRNsUy1NuHZxO8wqkCsP0ivhp0gocg2ajE7zNjg&oe=6587BECA | person_profile | 0 | Kingston Brass | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412371625_1125529612213855_3851234767373177453_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bxUEKnOWAlAAX9k_qDP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD4TdG0s9OfE1ZNfyEZ-SgjNgAqeiGt-fJyaBX0CoYSmw&oe=6587F87B | 0 | 3 | PICKING THE EXACT PLACEMENT FOR A POT FILLER FAUCET<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3rXVVU5&h=AT0JE-T6hEl8gpewf_wtEyQdWT8wSspVhleAgyyfksBbGx6MfWHhiF9nZreCfHtwL8-2UPzcYMGMa4ALUeH5pXGX9o03HDtaAmGXnIieEtqsFhFKpDncSsaaRt5Tqjobeoc_xiRrO0kz_GOxsU50TxFmglU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3rXVVU5</a><br /> Photo: @joanna.agueci<br /> Looking to elevate your kitchen with the latest trends? <br /> 🍽️ Consider adding a pot filler faucet to your cooking space – they're all the rage! 🚰 <br /> However, if you're wondering where to install it over your range top, here are some handy tips to help you find the perfect spot for this stylish and functional addition to your kitchen. ✨ #KitchenUpgrade #potfillerplacement #hometrends #kitchenremodel #potfiller<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3rXVVU5&h=AT1jasnCpLvc7fwYinwSQb5FzGWP2GOFhoWCBvi_YcZ3aZjLFDCku1zvjXGemAIkCMldkqNa9sFzyKo1-I1YLd_HyMQn7KCnwDCEYMAVoyHY2aQyvp8w74rdZrw98Dabt3xLy7Myrkd09dOIIO3jzaXrqrk" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3rXVVU5</a> | Kingston Brass Inc. | 40726 | https://facebook.com/KingstonBrass | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55853 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970757 | 65 | 977082763514125 | 2 | 9.865378626115E+14 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23858688503130562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1693688333 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/374262180_207368435438827_5763664930283400073_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QWyQklByheMAX8xF-Hz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBksIHSqPFI-uInk5tt_nZX6i0Bl8B8_os1IS5Krme_eQ&oe=6587657D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🔴O co chodzi z tymi ( bolesnymi) wzorcami miłości?<br /> Twój związek lub jego brak, to odbicie Twoich “wewnętrznych” wzorców miłości.<br /> Czym właściwie są wzorce miłości, i skąd się biorą?<br /> <br /> A co ważniejsze, czy jeśli są dla Ciebie “bolesne”, prowokują trudne <br /> i nierówne relacje, to czy możesz coś z tym zrobić?<br /> <br /> Czy też już raz na zawsze jesteś na nie skazana?<br /> <br /> Na ile w ogóle masz wpływ na te wzorce?<br /> <br /> Skąd się biorą?<br /> <br /> Twoje wzorce miłości to odzwierciedlenie często relacji w Twojej rodzinie.<br /> To odbicie Twoich “trudów” dzieciństwa.<br /> <br /> Odbicie ukrytych dynamik relacji z matką, ojcem.<br /> <br /> Które nie zawsze wyglądały jak “groźne traumy”, a jednak sączyły się do Twojej podświadomości.<br /> #<br /> Czasem nie wiesz, że byłaś “kochana boleśnie”.<br /> <br /> Byłaś uczona, że masz z siebie dawać,<br /> że masz zasłużyć,<br /> że masz czekać,<br /> że taka jaka jesteś, jesteś do poprawy, korekty, zmiany, naprawy.<br /> <br /> #<br /> Byłaś “odrzucana”, bo nie tak jak być powinno, niewystarczająca dobra.<br /> Zbyt…<br /> Za…<br /> Niewystarczająco…<br /> <br /> #<br /> Byłaś za wcześniej dorosła, ponad miarę.<br /> Matkowałaś rodzicom.<br /> <br /> Żeby być akceptowana starałaś się bardziej.<br /> Dawałaś z siebie więcej.<br /> Ukrywałaś co czujesz naprawdę.<br /> <br /> Różnie…<br /> <br /> #<br /> <br /> A dzisiaj Twoje relacje pokazują Twoje podświadome bolesne wzorce miłości.<br /> <br /> A to<br /> * dajesz więcej z siebie i dopasowujesz się do jego planów, celów, czasu,<br /> dopasowujesz się do - nie wiadomo czego,<br /> <br /> * jesteś niewidziana,<br /> <br /> * Twoje potrzeby są umniejszane, ignorowane,<br /> <br /> * matkujesz, ogarniasz,<br /> <br /> * jesteś tą trzecią/ na boku…,<br /> <br /> * jesteś zdradzona,<br /> <br /> * on nie umie się zdecydować,<br /> <br /> * on pojawia się i znika…<br /> <br /> 🔵<br /> <br /> On<br /> taki sam, ze swoimi bolesnymi wzorcami…<br /> <br /> Prawda jest taka, że możesz to zmienić.<br /> <br /> Jak?<br /> <br /> Kiedy świadomie na to popatrzysz, zidentyfikujesz całą misterna grę w niemiłość.<br /> I uznasz, że to jest.<br /> I, że jest w Tobie.<br /> <br /> Kiedy uświadomisz sobie, że masz moc, aby to zmienić.<br /> Bo świadome popatrzenie w siebie i uznanie tego co było, jakie było, bez osądu daje moc.<br /> I ZAŁOŻYSZ, że to co stare i bolesne NIE musi Cię obowiązywać.<br /> <br /> Kiedy zaczniesz siebie postrzegać jako<br /> chcianą,<br /> kochaną,<br /> szanowaną,<br /> ważną,<br /> szczęśliwą.<br /> <br /> Kiedy zbudujesz swoją wizję kobiety/ Bogini.<br /> I tylko tym się staniesz.<br /> <br /> To jest możliwe.<br /> I realne.<br /> I od Ciebie wymaga- tylko jednej rzeczy.<br /> <br /> DECYZJI. Że chcesz dobrej miłości.<br /> I jesteś gotowa zaangażować się w ten proces.<br /> I wiesz, że zmiana w Tobie odzwierciedla się na zewnątrz.<br /> <br /> Zacznij tutaj<br /> Warto odczarować bolesne wzorce miłości. Być jedyną, najważniejszą. Priorytetem. Zacznij ze mną. Kliknij i odbierz 1 sze wideo<br /> a potem dołącz do kursu<br /> Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT3QN4OStc0UMNV3JIRrnMZezD-59DpXhIgrFJmUYCJfpDW92G1l-n89w2iONTALTYwpHbLJKEt36FhSWLKFC6aQECPt9ejsDrsHPtMJlpDZs_AfA50ulgWQEyfLpmvk15Oq6fb5DOkVlF5VuFaNQQ9G3y0zNOty-vdnuOEgpsk" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55962 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970757 | 65 | 1084372672991055 | 1.9868155050345E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104712185686282 | 0 | Historical Hiccups | 120207705335690456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389168 | 1.0471218568628E+14 | Historical Hiccups | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410646380_198492146663995_5319992594898837369_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RWP8XKf2kyEAX-R80e5&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvH27VRTGs2NEaRJo9dXLmmB_7BYoHebexNbWKBXOyUg&oe=6587D9E0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | Historical Hiccups | 637 | https://facebook.com/100084229586929 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55470 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970757 | 65 | 165784349958401 | 3 | 6.6206750249947E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 147511991787764 | 0 | NovaNestle | 6528961898074 | novanestlecw.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Xmas Give-away! | https://novanestlecw.com/ | 1702849198 | 1.4751199178776E+14 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412363499_1590027051765896_8023950782769631424_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=os3lYwwQf-0AX8Wd6gm&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA-b4bNcRmD2dkJxaM-0d1WZqYO5e21UCCEQatoAbUlAA&oe=6589207A | person_profile | 0 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412186957_923360549211306_4060389436556155222_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LHMXcM7vZboAX__rDj_&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDekQSKtrif7gsZS3rccUp9F9-MTsiMZAL7dqbtZLl8Pg&oe=65881968 | 0 | 3 | (Backed by a Lifetime Warranty). Guaranteed, the last cookware set you will own. | NovaNestle | 4 | https://facebook.com/61554141392830 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56674 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970758 | 65 | 1044358253551261 | 5.7974953763093E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433850740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | World Exclusive: Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence for the First Time. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806367 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403168334_874914944210405_3255006113410419155_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sRAYD0IwRWYAX8jrPdJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCDwCLxiBOxe_gSBDiRocTQ-g7c1OEBLTZXN71FcDdctw&oe=65878E67 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Untold Story: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband, Spilling Behind-the-Scenes Show Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56477 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970758 | 65 | 3633565666928393 | 2 | 6.5250852625715E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103144986091260 | 0 | CMG Daily-Choices US | 120201748377840520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332834 | 1.0314498609126E+14 | CMG Daily-Choices US | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406326790_1143310673305292_789881773573579386_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r17XLyln2McAX9Htx4Z&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCCHrocqDj17aWRglPWUBBotCtwEViBNzyoiWGPEELAMQ&oe=65884931 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Daily-Choices US | 98 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailychoices.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55295 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970758 | 65 | 1478826675996228 | 1 | 1.0110556666716E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1690071827911682 | 0 | Cleancult | 120204033097820481 | www.walmart.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Free from the Harsh Stuff | Now Available at Walmart | https://www.walmart.com/search?q=cleancult&facet=brand%3Acleancult&sort=price_low | 1702996868 | 1.6900718279117E+15 | Cleancult | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412360103_392781329854068_8028573615865915017_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yaOiVhhrZ2YAX_IJWDb&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAdrUtvHZDOjhXDHOBVSqGUmVV8xOwAnYRaN_jpqWH4QA&oe=6587D2C9 | person_profile | 0 | Cleancult | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412422251_1075762716791386_7010553486237496889_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lXEKZbvKSl0AX88KJ-N&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCg17qDpwhQoEmJqlWmlRZ2_XWwh3rjutPt9wn-1zAhWQ&oe=65886192 | 0 | 3 | This cult never sacrifices safety for power. Try our all-purpose cleaner in divine aluminum for a safer home and a spotless soul. | Cleancult | 19907 | https://facebook.com/cleancult | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56923 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970758 | 65 | 657658526558468 | 5 | 1.0911569485488E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201778980400250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677939 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402960811_3582056052051476_2480871273265367808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8cuobOvepzoAX9UNPjL&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCjImqar0Nvw4eU-wHQwvObr2Q4ppQ5qwQwY2E__1GgnA&oe=6588A973 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55574 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/22/24, 2:02 PM | 1703105771 | 1732305767 | 65 | 738866964777022 | 1 | 2.5769812891434E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748170506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636945 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411102092_393774843004015_417448910520034730_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8rZpD4SpQdYAX-Hmptk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDry21Gf4mmnUY6qgsUmOuRnhIAbY-nHhaVXcwbmxRHBA&oe=6588ACA7 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411079938_1346859516196665_1377788025915588157_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A8Acu6EgM5gAX_g8IgA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdD2glrjeReoAREWPqsawgCuJDRI_0poir_NaK8rUFXA&oe=65892879 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55358 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970758 | 65 | 1760605971112564 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56939 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970758 | 65 | 899382378559021 | 1.0911569485488E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201778980400250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677939 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402960811_3582056052051476_2480871273265367808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8cuobOvepzoAX98WWaE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCyZ0LPECm1jy7NOj-a1jPGsVhEeNGEAq-hNU2ycc18HQ&oe=6588A973 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56523 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/11/25, 4:20 AM | 1703105781 | 1749633618 | 65 | 252675991147583 | 1 | 2.0221106948293E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100802715811938 | 0 | Best APP to release stress | 120201140436070070 | dynamic.bestnovelapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Leia online！！ | https://dynamic.bestnovelapp.com/noah-ssg/wn/202309192/27884910600562805+1+3+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1701246865 | 1.0080271581194E+14 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406089541_1836555383430285_4305747837051764715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cCFvLcGcjpYAX-xD68O&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfJ-c452UN3oB-ExKTFlMSSTYlAy3-oHSBWHz1DKqneA&oe=65875DAF | person_profile | 0 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406068279_1077781516571933_4678592689515397299_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X5YsM0fFsEYAX-DUhmR&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfClHx5kgf8VlfBBQkcWUwBq4gvTWwy1AAr-L20kxebRNA&oe=65890476 | 0 | 3 | "Marido, eu não quero mais, me sinto péssima..." "Amor, seja boazinha, termine de tomar esse remédio."<br /> O homem bonito abraça a mulher em seus braços, acariciando-a delicadamente enquanto a alimenta com o remédio.<br /> Joanna Lawrence se depara com Ashton Heath, o herdeiro mais estimado de toda a cidade de Closia, e acaba passando a noite com ele. Depois que ele oferece benefícios em troca de seu casamento, a recém nomeada Sra. Heath de repente tem o poder de ter tudo o que sempre desejou.<br /> "Marido, eu dei um tapa na Rainha do Cinema Faye hoje, eu exagerei?"<br /> "Amor, sua mão está doendo? Deixe-me massageá-la para você."<br /> "Marido, eu estourei o limite do seu cartão de crédito, você está bravo?"<br /> "Amor, você está feliz com suas compras? Avise-me quando precisar de mais."<br /> "Marido, estou cansada hoje, não quero me mexer..."<br /> <br /> Clique para ler mais <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Best APP to release stress | 4784 | https://facebook.com/100079851744054 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55547 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970758 | 65 | 1084061982789699 | 1.5473967260209E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774769480385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633139 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410829973_865898688337771_6853952824927292049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KUrOs8RdbFwAX8OWlIy&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAP1VgIMtelQPa0hNh2PCIDjuxZgQUvjgS2-8OTzzeVnA&oe=65887735 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410802780_893049512408465_9042337623591056054_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HgBd0A-8dUwAX_GFr18&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBxBtXpOgBh6RKYSxzzm28-Y3w5_quLjxvl14Z9bsITRg&oe=6587E6E4 | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56684 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970758 | 65 | 1268003873875984 | 3.764241743862E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433090740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Speaks Out to the World Breaking Her Silence. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806363 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404918614_878970457214331_6615070484305394420_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dUWkJ1ni41oAX_2Izao&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdbDN6K_-V2410_OT1prbNm9f3uwtBLfERMV6nNCP-lQ&oe=658829B6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers Hid This for Years, Now Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband and Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Show Ending. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56010 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970758 | 65 | 3547807805467018 | 2.0273732176431E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 142784355782658 | 0 | Deep South Pout | 6558951603251 | deepsouthpout.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Join JB & Morgan LIVE NOW! | https://deepsouthpout.com/ | 1702320074 | 1.4278435578266E+14 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410209276_828965152360247_4619753643039346481_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iv1FiPzPBBQAX_5YkUy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAmrcKSe5f5HvLvunqJRF1ePdSXM2ByAxPnKPhmBb_bqQ&oe=6587B035 | person_profile | 0 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410234565_2744288755720885_8005419936969535127_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DnX1WxyhbzQAX-eQCYp&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBDmqhj1XcnAiUiGMEW8072gbRZcClKKyl7VPDuIDJidw&oe=658831A8 | 0 | 3 | for a sneak peek at our NEW YEAR'S EVE collection! ✨ Elevate your celebrations with glamorous pieces and trendsetting outfits. | Deep South Pout | 86056 | https://facebook.com/DeepSouthPout | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55507 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970758 | 65 | 3670988676554037 | 2 | 6.4168487792438E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 134903889714448 | 0 | Tukors | 120202883797090627 | www.tukors.com | Learn more | NONE | video | http://www.tukors.com/promotion/?pu=Q6WADKXPCIF6 | 1702569212 | 1.3490388971445E+14 | Tukors | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411029051_324140557078841_1188121295366507721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1gIlibXrklYAX-IwItX&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCOKDfuFgGHELSssJZwoouk3LVcyRJBip9V-PqcKMyfzg&oe=65888B89 | person_profile | 0 | TUKORS | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409844471_1099029471259234_143016486257394765_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JB_UmJIUUTgAX8jpC8W&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBUYt4ry71EZ0LkukIwd2YxQp_9qdV2qB3BTAIrQhfSIQ&oe=6587A30A | 0 | 3 | "그 사람은 입이 무거워서 믿을 수 있어."<br /> Be friends with a Heavy-mouthed person!<br /> <br /> Let's Learn Korean with Tutor Joanna!<br /> <br /> #learningkorean #koreanlanguage #hangul #hangeul #韓国語 #韓国語勉強 | Tukors | 18 | https://facebook.com/Tukors1 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55990 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1822362648220654 | 1 | 6.5848952649607E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201682345790743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702370818 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406863712_690419719531853_4482322281262706088_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LfE2jKQU9GIAX8inj1C&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCW7Q8c1969n_k_1-Zv8q6kIusBQgHDb1WkfQUvcvJWew&oe=65892A57 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410621952_2237919689745529_2730962872848675217_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mGo91tyCcOcAX-QgbCj&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfASQ6L9lODPDrju7t0h8fWMvmnD6ZAtQeJvjkFbU0E82Q&oe=6588DF52 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56371 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970759 | 65 | 728170209175479 | 1 | 2.8907645022567E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104147352498251 | 0 | History A2Z Español | 120202286060100275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667696 | 1.0414735249825E+14 | History A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408237641_2091102944564576_1931980006995533391_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QOa1id4uRiQAX9GymSE&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAlKsB7HZWWqkNTD_ALzo0P7fUpCBHMIkGh1WZbrcr54A&oe=658845E2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | History A2Z Español | 944 | https://facebook.com/historya2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56070 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1290592901656595 | 8.7537959412956E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202736243990520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Chip Gaines Addresses Rumors | Trouble in Chip and Joanna Gaines paradise | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702267276 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408190381_870867091344052_1324248138685689161_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=89dXi7yIFkkAX_TQRVX&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAUP5SRLM2EQ7wspdMp_4jWq1_XQVOYkJGjpZw-RgdtOQ&oe=6587607A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56160 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1021486392419105 | 1 | 3.6903140560812E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 180251658500845 | 0 | Bad Novel | 120201576025440539 | cdn.joylitnovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to read the full text | https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/2c317ec0-76d0-4274-8237-3555126e8dfa.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}} | 1702048118 | 1.8025165850084E+14 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409533953_1764599087388225_3692934674641575787_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=koCONL9glTUAX8wasdp&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCfbSYTRXQ01HZQTLrs3ZSNXT2Rpsy5Wkdqe1JH7Ja2QA&oe=65881FDB | person_profile | 0 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408574190_350345180945400_4699289775419155029_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VTGl_Er5ewEAX_Hj713&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCafFHKTNSIicxstkY1B3TziL0Jfdk2bXxi8vsZykEuMg&oe=6588E0D0 | 0 | 3 | As the sun dipped below the horizon on a July evening, the sky retained its luminous glow, refusing to succumb to darkness.<br /> By the base of Mount Elvern, before an unnamed tombstone.<br /> Clad in black casual attire, Yvonne Anworth stood before the tombstone. Her delicate features were etched with a chill that resembled the precision of a carefully sculpted statue. "Mom, ten years have passed since that day. I've stuck to your advice and kept myself in check all these years. Tomorrow, I'm going back to the Anworths."<br /> Enveloped in silence, she could only hear the wind whispering through the trees.<br /> "Boom!"<br /> A sudden, jarring sound drew Yvonne's attention, prompting her to subtly turn her head. Her mesmerizing eyes narrowed as she gazed towards the source of the noise, not too far from her.<br /> A black car with a deflated tire sat lopsided on the roadside.<br /> A man dressed in black sportswear emerged from the car. His gait was unsteady, suggesting an injury.<br /> A group of about a dozen people dressed in black attire trailed behind him.<br /> Brandon Hart glanced over his shoulder, his face stern and cold. He clutched his aching stomach, and his lips drained of color. He exuded an aura of pain and suffering.<br /> "Don't even think about running! We paid a fortune for you, and you're not going anywhere." The menacing figure in black said as he closed in on the shivering figure before him. The leader's face was devoid of emotion, his eyes cold and calculating, radiating an aura of pure malice.<br /> "Just you guys?" Brandon's eyes narrowed, his voice like a frosty dagger.<br /> The pain from his stomach shot up to his head. He could feel the blood seeping out, making him doubt if he could hold on much longer.<br /> "Alright, let's get this over with," the leader of the black-clad people said and attacked Brandon.<br /> "Huh?"<br /> Suddenly, a stone came whizzing out of nowhere and struck the black-clad person in the arm. His hand trembled, and he crumpled to the ground.<br /> The black-clad person's expression morphed into a mask of fury, a low rumble emanating from their chest. "Who's there?"<br /> Yvonne spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, "You've interrupted my mom's peace. Take your fight elsewhere!"<br /> A crowd of people gazed intently at Yvonne, their faces grave.<br /> Even Brandon, known for his menacing glare, couldn't mask his astonishment.<br /> Despite their formidable reputations as international assassins, capable of vanquishing multiple foes, the group succumbed to the might of a mere stone hurled by a teenage girl.<br /> That girl was off the charts!<br /> "Back off, or you're toast!" The leader's eyes turned icy as he ordered, "Kill her!"<br /> The rest of the crowd surged forward in an instant.<br /> Yvonne's gaze grew icy, her eyes like shards of ice.<br /> "Watch out!" Brandon had already sprung into action before the black-clad people rushed towards Yvonne.<br /> But Brandon's feet halted abruptly, his dark eyes widening in disbelief.<br /> The assassins were no match for Yvonne. They all fell before her without even having a chance to attack.<br /> And she didn't budge an inch. Her face was undisturbed, and her eyes steady.<br /> If it weren't for her hands that had not yet been withdrawn, Brandon would have thought he was hallucinating.<br /> "Get lost!" Yvonne tilted her chin up slightly, her voice icy.<br /> The men in black stared at her like she was some kind of ghost, their faces etched with confusion and a hint of fear. "Who the hell are you? And what's your deal?"<br /> The cause of their fall remained a mystery to them.<br /> All they recalled was the girl raising her hand and releasing a powdery substance, followed by their sudden descent.<br /> And they didn't even touch a single strand of the girl's hair.<br /> As Yvonne remained silent, the black-clad men collapsed to the ground, unconscious.<br /> Yvonne cast a fleeting glance at their fallen forms before raising her gaze to Brandon, who stood nearby.<br /> Brandon's heart skipped a beat as her clear, moonlit eyes met his.<br /> Regaining his composure, he approached her and spoke softly, "Thank you."<br /> Yvonne gave him a cold stare and curtly declared, "I'm not saving you!"<br /> Her only desire was to avoid being bothered and to have a conversation with her mother.<br /> As Yvonne uttered those words, she turned around and strode away. Her hand reached out to gently caress the tombstone surface. "I gotta go, Mom. May you rest in peace."<br /> As she was about to walk away, Brandon stopped her and asked, "Hey, what's your name? I'd like to return the favor someday."<br /> "I never intended to save you," Yvonne waved her hand and kept walking.<br /> "Wait ... ouch!" Brandon didn't even get to finish his sentence and collapsed on the ground.<br /> Yvonne turned back. Her brow furrowed in confusion before resuming her walk.<br /> Out of nowhere, a gust of wind swirled around her, making Yvonne halt in her steps. She glanced up at the unmarked gravestone and asked, "Do you want me to save him?" But the only answer was the wind's whisper. For a moment, Yvonne stayed silent, her voice laced with a hint of helplessness, "Alright, I'll save him."<br /> Yvonne crouched beside Brandon and gently raised his shirt. She immediately noticed that he had a severe wound on his stomach.<br /> But it wasn't a big problem.<br /> She retrieved a small bottle from her bag and sprinkled some medicinal powder on it. Then, she took out another bottle and fed a pill to Brandon.<br /> Brandon would be astonished to see the rare and valuable healing pill lying before him. It is a highly sought-after item in the black market, with each pill fetching an astounding price of 750,000 dollars. However, due to its scarcity, it is almost impossible to find on the market.<br /> After Brandon took the pill, Yvonne immediately turned and left.<br /> Queenstown, the Anworths mansion.<br /> "She's banned from this house as long as I'm alive!" a booming voice echoed through the mansion.<br /> In the middle of the living room, Yvonne raised her eyes slightly and gazed serenely at the enraged Madam Anworth. Her peach blossom eyes, usually bright and expressive, were now modestly lowered, concealing a depth of composure.<br /> Unnoticed by anyone, a sly grin appeared on her lips.<br /> Having just returned home with her father, Thomas Anworth, Yvonne was immediately summoned to the old mansion by Madam Anworth, who had already heard the news of their arrival.<br /> Madam Anworth's immediate disapproval of Yvonne's return was evident as soon as she stepped into the room.<br /> "Ugh, Mom! Yvonne is my daughter. She's your grandchild."<br /> Thomas stood with his hands clenched at his sides. His jaw was set, and his shoulders tense.<br /> After a decade of searching, he was overjoyed to finally reunite with his daughter. But he was caught off guard when his mother refused to allow Yvonne to return home. In front of the entire family, she even disrespected Yvonne.<br /> "She doesn't deserve a shred of recognition from me! I'll never give her the time of day!" Madam Anworth's hand struck the table with a resounding thud, her glare as sharp as a blade aimed at Yvonne's heart.<br /> Yvonne lifted her head, briefly encountering Madam Anworth's gaze before looking away once more. She remained unfazed by Madam Anworth's scrutiny.<br /> Thomas suddenly raised his head and declared with determination, "Now that I've found Yvonne, I'll never let her go again. Our family is broken beyond repair, so stay out of my personal life!"<br /> "How dare you!" Madam Anworth shot up from her chair, her eyes blazing. "If you even think about bringing her back, I'll kick you out of your current position and take back every share you own!"<br /> Thomas sneered and said, "Position? Shares? Mom, I'm just a lowly manager in the company now, making a basic salary of 600 dollars a month. I'm not the one who wants to quit, it's you! And as for the shares, didn't you already take them all back?'"<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth gritted her teeth as she said, "Are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"<br /> She was stunned to see her typically weak and incompetent son defy her wishes time and again for the sake of Yvonne.<br /> She was certain that Yvonne and her late mother were up to no good, trying to stir up trouble between her and her son.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to say something, Hannah Anworth, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up, "Grandma, do you agree to let Yvonne come back?"<br /> "Hmm!" Grandma's expression softened a bit when she saw Hannah. But she still coldly snorted, "Let Yvonne come back? Forget about it!'"<br /> "But Yvonne is Mr. Hart's fiancée," Hannah blinked her eyes, her lips curled up into a mischievous grin.<br /> Chapter 2 Ending the Engagement<br /> 、The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence.<br /> "What are you talking about? Brandon's fiancée isn't ...," Grandma paused and abruptly stood up. "Oh, wait, I remember now! Yvonne is the one engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, you don't have to marry Brandon anymore."<br /> It was widely acknowledged that Brandon Hart, the seventh son of the Harts, was an indolent person who lacked seriousness and frittered away his time.<br /> Master Hart has a deep affection for Brandon, particularly since Brandon heroically saved him two years ago, resulting in Brandon's disability. Since that incident, Master Hart has showered Brandon with even more love and attention.<br /> And Brandon's lavish spending habits have escalated, as he recklessly disposes of the money generously given to him by his parents and Master Hart.<br /> But for some unexplained reason, a representative from the Anworths recently approached the Harts and informed them that their young lady was engaged to Brandon and that they expected the Harts to honor the engagement.<br /> Isn't Hannah the young lady of the Anworths?<br /> Madam Anworth's anxiety stemmed from her concerns about Hannah's future. Despite the Anworths' lower social standing compared to the Harts, Madam Anworth had nurtured Hannah since she was a child. She believed that Hannah deserved to marry someone more prominent who could elevate the Anworths' position.<br /> Despite Brandon's lavish lifestyle courtesy of his grandfather, he lacked true influence. The wealth he possessed originated from his parents and Master Hart's generosity.<br /> Remember, money could run out. Once he spent it all and there was nothing left, he would be left with nothing but to rely on the generosity of others for basic necessities.<br /> Despite Madam Anworth's objections, the Harts had been committed to their engagement and couldn't simply call it off. So, Madam Anworth sought strategies to terminate the impending union gracefully.<br /> With Yvonne's return, the engagement could proceed as planned. Yvonne's background as a simple country girl made her an appropriate match for Brandon, who had physical limitations. Besides, the Anworths could benefit from a union with the Hart family, achieving two advantages simultaneously.<br /> With this in mind, Madam Anworth wasted no time and said, "Fine, let Yvonne come back. But she's got a month to learn some manners before she gets engaged to Brandon. We don't want any embarrassing moments at the ceremony."<br /> Thomas and Joanna Lloyd were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief as they gazed at the old lady.<br /> They were still struggling to process Hannah's earlier statement.<br /> Soon, Thomas raised his head abruptly, "What engagement ceremony? The one engaged to Brandon isn't ..."<br /> "Yvonne is the young lady of the Anworths. It's her who is engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, it's only natural to fulfill the engagement."<br /> Joanna's expression darkened upon hearing the news. She turned to Yvonne with a sympathetic gaze.<br /> Her mother-in-law was clearly up to something.<br /> Her willingness to let Yvonne back into their lives hints at her covert motivations.<br /> Everyone knew that Brandon had a disability.<br /> She once opposed Hannah marrying Brandon, but now she supported Yvonne marrying him.<br /> "I disagree!" Thomas's voice boomed with fury, his features contorted in a rage. "It's obvious that Hannah is the one who got engaged to Brandon."<br /> "Dad, I'm not saying I don't want to marry Brandon, but Yvonne is the eldest daughter from the Anworths. If I get married to Brandon and the Harts find out about it, they'll be furious with us for keeping it a secret." Hannah's tone was vague, and she looked down slightly, a sly look crossing her face.<br /> "Right!" Madam Anworth immediately nodded, "The Harts are a powerful family, and we don't want to mess with them."<br /> "You all!" Thomas's face went all red. He was furious.<br /> But Madam Anworth ignored him and turned to Yvonne. "If you wish to return to the Anworths, you must get engaged to Brandon."<br /> Yvonne raised her eyes to meet Madam Anworth's gaze. Her bright and captivating eyes sparkled faintly.<br /> After a moment, with a dainty smile, she took a breath and coolly replied, "Alright. I'm in for the engagement!"<br /> She must come back to the Anworths!<br /> Her lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile as she contemplated her engagement. Her return to the Anworths coincided with an opportune moment to gracefully dissolve her engagement to Brandon.<br /> After leaving the old mansion of the Anworths, Yvonne followed Thomas and Joanna back to their own home.<br /> Eight years ago, Thomas's grandmother forced him to leave the old mansion, and his family has since relocated to Newton Residential Area, a secluded neighborhood far from the city's bustle.<br /> The neighborhood had been quite antiquated, and the walls of the buildings were deteriorating, possibly due to the passage of time.<br /> Thomas's family resided in an apartment with three bedrooms.<br /> Upon greeting Thomas, Yvonne headed towards the bedroom.<br /> She just returned home, and her belongings haven't been unpacked yet.<br /> The moment she stepped into the bedroom, an insistent knock echoed through the room.<br /> She got up and headed towards the door. As she swung it open, she found Thomas and Joanna standing awkwardly, unsure of what to say.<br /> "Do you need something, Mr. Anworth?" Yvonne stepped aside to let Thomas come in.<br /> "Yeah, I do, actually." Thomas pursed his lips, unsure how to start.<br /> "What's the matter? Just tell me." Yvonne gestured for Thomas to sit down while she herself stood.<br /> "I want to cancel the wedding on your behalf."<br /> Yvonne's eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide with surprise.<br /> Joanna approached her, gently grasped her hand, and took a seat on the bed. Then, she said softly, "Listen. Your father believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and Brandon has a disability. If you marry him, you'll be responsible for his care for the rest of your life. He wants you to find someone with a good heart, someone who will truly love and protect you forever."<br /> Joanna paused for a moment and continued, "But this marriage was arranged by your mother after all. So, we still need to hear your thoughts on it."<br /> Although she had never been in contact with Yvonne, she felt sorry for her.<br /> Brandon was not the right match for her.<br /> So what if the Harts were wealthy and powerful?<br /> If Yvonne makes that decision, the consequences will be devastating and irreversible. It would be a mistake with a lasting negative impact on her life.<br /> Yvonne looked at Joanna, a hint of a smile appearing on her cold cheeks. "Well, I was planning on cancelling him."<br /> Joanna was Thomas's second wife and also her stepmother.<br /> After the brief interaction she had with her, Yvonne didn't feel repulsed.<br /> She could also tell that Thomas and Joanna were genuinely considering her.<br /> "That's good!" Thomas stood up excitedly. "I'm calling the Harts right now to cancel that wedding!"<br /> Mount Elvern.<br /> In the depths of the mountain forest, three figures stood solemnly before a nameless grave.<br /> The man on the left, dressed in trendy clothes and sporting an earring, turned to the slender man beside him. "Mr. Hart, it's been two days, and that girl still hasn't come. I don't think she'll come. Let's go."<br /> "Just wait a little longer." The man in the middle narrowed his eyes and looked at the nameless grave before him. A layer of light shimmered under his dark eyes.<br /> He was dressed in casual black clothes, and his messy hair covered half of his eyelids. His exquisite, handsome face carried a hint of coldness and arrogance. He was the seventh son of the Harts, the useless son who was saved by Yvonne.<br /> Brandon Hart!<br /> The person who spoke first was Yorky Smith, the third son of the Smiths in Norbury.<br /> "Don't wait any longer. If you keep waiting, you'll miss the engagement with Miss Anworth from the Anworths." Yorky touched his earlobe and chuckled, "Miss Anworth is a talented woman from Queenstown. Besides, you've been engaged to her since childhood. Your grandfather has repeatedly emphasized that the engagement ceremony must not go wrong."<br /> A faint curve appeared at the ice-cold corner of Brandon's lips. "Has the engagement with the Anworths been canceled?"<br /> "Even if you were cripple and the biggest loser on Earth, would the Anworths dare to break off their engagement with the Harts, the most powerful family in Norbury? And let's be honest, you're not exactly a loser anyway!"<br /> It was hard to imagine the Anworths calling off the marriage if they knew Brandon was neither disabled nor useless!<br /> "Oh." Brandon's eyes dimmed.<br /> They did not cancel the engagement!<br /> It was not fun anymore!<br /> Sensing futility in his words, Yorky sealed his lips on the matter.<br /> He decided not to mention this topic anymore. "Since finding your savior seems impossible, let's move on. We can still save Helena once we find my senior."<br /> Brandon cast him a sidelong glance, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. "Your senior? Are you sure she exists?"<br /> Yorky was left speechless and couldn't come up with a response.<br /> After a while, he exclaimed in frustration, "Of course she exists! My senior is totally drop-dead gorgeous and has a heart of gold. And don't even get me started on her skills as a doctor. She's like a walking miracle! She can practically raise the dead and mend broken bones ..."<br /> Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the person standing on Brandon's right side. "Mr. Smith, you don't even know her name, what she looks like. And yet, you're making her out to be some kind of mythical creature. Is this 'senior' of yours even real? Instead of wasting time looking for her, it would be better to wait for the Black Alliance to contact the mysterious divine doctor."<br /> Raise the dead and mend broken bones?<br /> Even the esteemed professors at the Medical Research Institute wouldn't even dare claim such skills.<br /> Yorky exclaimed excitedly, "You're talking nonsense! You think I'm making things up, huh? My senior is real! But that mysterious divine doctor is like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will. Only treat patients on a whim. We've searched for ages with no success. Who even knows if that doctor accepts patients anymore?"<br /> "I suspect he's completely incompetent! His medical skills are not even as good as my senior!"<br /> This person was ignorant!<br /> How could an ordinary person like him understand his senior?<br /> Although his senior never mentioned his name and knowing she had changed after a decade, he was certain he would recognize his senior the moment he laid eyes on her.<br /> "Fine, fine, I'll take your word for it." Franco Kelmer had it up to here arguing with Yorky. Mainly because he was kinda creepily obsessed with his senior.<br /> Brandon gave them both a quick look, then looked away and bowed to the nameless tombstone as he said, "Alright, let's go!"<br /> "Mr. Hart, where are we going?" Franco asked.<br /> Brandon's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Queenstown. I'll convince my fiancée to break off our engagement!"<br /> Chapter 3 Are You Trying to Lecture Me?<br /> On the other side.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to contact the Harts and call off the engagement, an unexpected visitor interrupted him with a ring of the doorbell.<br /> Thomas and Joanna rose to see who was at the door.<br /> Yvonne rose and joined the others outside. Guests had arrived, and her duty was to extend a warm welcome, as courtesy demanded.<br /> Upon reaching the door, she discovered it was Hannah standing before it.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were both taken aback, and even Yvonne couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.<br /> Hannah was already there, knocking on the door just moments after she had left the old mansion.<br /> "Hi, Mom and Dad! I came to visit and also wanted to see Yvonne. I even brought her some clothes," Hannah said, a sweet smile revealed as she stood in her light-colored dress with her hair tied back on both sides.<br /> She radiated an air of quiet grace and elegance.<br /> Joanna glanced at the bag in Hannah's hand, and her expression changed.<br /> Madam Anworth bought these clothes for Hannah, but many of them were only worn once and then forgotten.<br /> This Hannah ....<br /> "That's thoughtful of you," Joanna remarked, taking the bag from Hannah's hand and placing it on the cupboard.<br /> "Why are you here all of a sudden?" Thomas asked, his face darkening with suspicion as he noticed the bag in Hannah's hand.<br /> Hannah's eyes welled up. She looked at Thomas with a mixture of hurt and understanding as she said, "Dad, I know you just reunited with Yvonne and want to focus on her. You probably don't want to see me right now, but ... Grandma insisted I come and teach her some of the rules of our family."<br /> Thomas's eyebrows furrowed tightly, his gaze at Hannah carried some impatience.<br /> Here we go again!<br /> For years, whenever she visited them, tears would stream down her face as though she had endured some terrible injustice.<br /> Could it have been that after receiving the favor of Madam Anworth, she looked down on her foster parents?<br /> Who would have wanted to see it like that then?<br /> Thomas's anger flared inexplicably. "What kind of rules are you teaching?" he thundered. "Yvonne knows perfectly well how to behave. She doesn't need your instruction! She's not marrying the emperor and becoming a concubine, so why all the fuss over rules?"<br /> "Hahaha!" Yvonne found Thomas's words unexpectedly funny and couldn't help but burst into laughter.<br /> It was clear Mr. Anworth had a humorous side.<br /> Hannah blushed beet red, looking down and nervously biting her lip. "Dad," she mumbled, "That's not what I meant at all. I just ..."<br /> "Fine. Go tell your grandmother that I'll cancel the engagement with the Harts. Since she looks down on Yvonne, she shouldn't care about her manners." Thomas cut her off, his voice laced with irritation.<br /> "What did you just say? You want to cancel the engagement!" Hannah couldn't pretend anymore. She gripped her skirt tightly, and the hatred in her eyes was about to erupt.<br /> What a hypocrite!<br /> Ridiculous!<br /> The treatment was indeed different for his own children.<br /> Initially, the Harts thought she was the one who was engaged to Brandon. And when they forced her to marry him, she secretly expressed her reluctance to marry Brandon. But what did Thomas say about it?<br /> He said he wouldn't be in charge of this household, and whether to do the engagement or not would be decided by Madam Anworth.<br /> But what about now?<br /> Just after Yvonne returned, Thomas was impatient to end this engagement. Why wasn't he saying that he's not in charge of this household anymore?<br /> "Exactly! Yvonne is just nineteen, and I just managed to bring her back. It's impossible for her to get married," Thomas said with a serious expression, "Go and tell your grandmother to stop thinking about Yvonne."<br /> He was well aware of what was going on in his mother's mind.<br /> While he used to be agreeable on all matters, there's no room for discussion when it came to Yvonne.<br /> He would confront anyone who dared to have bad intentions towards Yvonne without hesitation.<br /> "But ..." Hannah nervously bit her lip, expressing some reluctance, "Yvonne has agreed to marry Mr. Hart. If she backs out, the Harts will hold us responsible. Offending the Harts would mean trouble for us."<br /> Hannah looked at Yvonne and said softly, "Yvonne, you don't want the Anworths to face problems, right? This is what Grandpa worked tirelessly for all his life. If something goes wrong because of you ..."<br /> She intentionally stopped speaking midway through her sentence.<br /> In response, Yvonne's captivating eyes lifted slightly, and her red lips formed a subtle smile. "Indeed, I have no desire to get married. Why don't you consider marrying him?"<br /> Hannah's body tensed for a moment, and her face briefly struggled to maintain composure.<br /> Who would willingly marry the disabled Brandon?<br /> She was a talented woman in Queenstown, achieving considerable success in various fields. Now, she was the top student in Fort Hill of Queenstown. With a promising future ahead, it was disheartening to think it could be jeopardized by association with that disabled person.<br /> What did Yvonne imply?<br /> Was she intentionally trying to upset her?<br /> "Yvonne, your joke is far from amusing," remarked Hannah with a forced smile, appearing quite unappealing.<br /> Yvonne blinked and looked at her with a tilted head. "I'm not joking!"<br /> Hannah was furious.<br /> She almost couldn't resist slapping Yvonne!<br /> Exploited every opening to benefit yourself, even when offered the benefit freely?<br /> Hannah's tone abruptly escalated as she emphasized, "You're the eldest daughter of the Anworths!" The malice in her eyes grew even more profound.<br /> "Oh, really?" Yvonne responded with a calm expression. "So you, a spoiled child, are trying to lecture me on handling things?"<br /> "You!" Hannah's hands clenched tightly at her sides. Shortly after, she took a deep breath and chuckled lightly, saying, "Yvonne, you've misunderstood. How could I dare to lecture you? It's Grandma who mentioned that the engagement with the Harts is a significant matter. Besides, after the engagement, the Harts will invest a substantial amount in our company. So, we absolutely cannot break off the engagement."<br /> Without waiting for Yvonne to respond, Hannah stood up and said, "Dad, I'll be heading to the company soon, so I won't stay long. When Grandma came, she wanted me to tell you that she disagreed with Yvonne canceling the engagement with Mr. Hart. If you insist on doing so, she'll take back this house."<br /> Madam Anworth certainly never said such things. Hannah took it upon herself to say these things.<br /> But she had the ability to influence Madam Anworth's attitude before Thomas approached her.<br /> Thomas's facial expression changed, and as he was about to respond, Hannah had already left.<br /> Chapter 4 Looked It Up<br /> Following Hannah's departure, Thomas expressed his frustration by forcefully placing the cup on the table, exclaiming, "This is absolutely outrageous!"<br /> Joanna poured him a glass of water and consoled him, saying, "Come on, don't be upset. This child's heart has long been elsewhere. Getting angry won't change anything."<br /> Hannah was a child they had adopted eight years ago.<br /> During that time, Thomas's sole focus was on searching for Yvonne. After an extensive but unsuccessful search, he coincidentally came across Hannah.<br /> Her facial features share a certain similarity with Yvonne. Feeling a longing for Yvonne and pity for Hannah, Thomas decided to adopt her.<br /> Hannah was obedient and sensible. She had a sweet mouth, and knew how to make people happy.<br /> She had Madam Anworth wrapped around her finger.<br /> After two years of adoption, Madam Anworth took personal responsibility for raising Hannah. In a short span, she transformed into a highly admired and accomplished woman in Queenstown, causing many people to envy her.<br /> But ever since Hannah started following Madam Anworth, she looked down on them. Although it didn't show on the surface, the words she uttered always hit people in the heart.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were not naive. Over time, they grasped Hannah's intentions. Consequently, their interactions with Hannah naturally dwindled.<br /> "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have adopted her!" Thomas lamented, beating his chest and regretting his decision.<br /> "You had good intentions back then," Joanna glanced at Yvonne and said, "Now the problem is how to cancel the engagement! According to Mom's stance, she's set on marrying Yvonne off, and if we don't agree, she might not accept it gracefully."<br /> "I've made up my mind to end this engagement. Even if Mom takes back the house, I refuse to believe that, as an adult, I can't provide for a wife and child."<br /> Joanna sighed.<br /> It seemed likely that in this Queenstown, Madam Anworth wouldn't offer them a place to stay.<br /> With her head bowed, Yvonne focused on the information displayed on her mobile phone.<br /> The page showcased details about Brandon.<br /> As a prominent figure in the Harts, Brandon's profile was indeed quite impressive.<br /> It had everything except for photos.<br /> Even the phone number was included on his profile.<br /> "Mr. Anworth, there's no need to feel troubled. I can initiate the divorce myself," Yvonne said, raising her head with a graceful smile on her soft face. "Don't worry about having a place to stay. I'll buy a house for you."<br /> Considering Mr. Anworth and his wife's good treatment towards her, acquiring this house could be seen as an act of filial piety.<br /> "Yvonne ..."<br /> Thomas wanted to say something, but Yvonne stood up and dialed a number on her phone.<br /> "Hello? Is it Mr. Hart, right? I'm Miss Anworth." Yvonne got straight to the point once the call was answered.<br /> Brandon's fingers paused on the other side of the phone, and his eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked, "What's the matter?"<br /> "I want to cancel the engagement." Yvonne's voice was clear and sharp.<br /> Brandon was taken aback for a moment. After a slight pause, his thin lips curved up as he responded. "Okay!"<br /> Yvonne stared at her phone, which had already been hung up, and was stunned for a moment.<br /> So, he was on board with this?<br /> A high-end club in Queenstown.<br /> Brandon lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed. He held his phone with slender fingers, staring at the call logs that had been cut off, and a faint smile played on his cool lips.<br /> "Is it really Miss Anworth from the Anworths?" Yorky held a glass of wine and expressed a hint of disbelief.<br /> "She said so," Brandon said with a low and enchanting voice, with a slightly cheerful tone.<br /> "Tsk!" Yorky expressed a mild exclamation and remarked, "Well, well! Miss Anworth does have quite a distinctive personality. I'm starting to view her in a different light."<br /> Although Brandon had a bad reputation, his family was financially stable.<br /> Though many girls desired to be his wife, the head of the Harts had already picked Miss Anworth as his future granddaughter-in-law.<br /> He thought the Anworths wouldn't break off the engagement.<br /> So, he investigated and found that the Anworths' business had declined in recent years, facing severe financial difficulties. The engagement with the Harts not only secured a marital alliance but also brought in a substantial investment, a stipulation set by the Harts patriarch.<br /> So, under any circumstances, Madam Anworth would never agree to cancel the engagement.<br /> It was surprising that Miss Anworth personally took the initiative to cancel the engagement.<br /> She truly embodied the reputation of being a highly talented woman in Queenstown, displaying a level of integrity that many other girls could not match.<br /> Brandon was in a good mood. His elongated eyes were almost closed into a thin line as he swiftly played his phone with his fingers.<br /> Yorky leaned in for a glance, expressing astonishment as he said, "Mr. Hart, why did you save the recording of the conversation with Miss Anworth?"<br /> Brandon casually lifted his gaze, continuing to play with his phone. "It's such a good thing. Why wouldn't I let my grandfather know and bring some joy to him?"<br /> "Will your grandfather get a heart attack when he finds out?" Yorky remarked. He couldn't imagine the scene after the old man knew about this.<br /> "He won't suffer from a heart attack. But maybe we would cry, make a fuss, or attempt suicide." These were the usual tactics used by her grandfather.<br /> In order to make him marry Miss Anworth, every possible method was used, causing him considerable distress.<br /> Now that Miss Anworth has chosen to cancel the engagement voluntarily, his grandfather should be able to settle down a bit.<br /> Taking a sip of his drink, Yorky turned to Brandon with a puzzled expression and inquired, "By the way, why don't you want to marry Miss Anworth? Hannah Anworth is not only attractive and academically outstanding but also reputed to have achieved success in various fields. Given her academic performance, she's almost guaranteed to secure a spot at a prestigious university. A wife of such caliber is truly a rare find."<br /> In the chilly atmosphere, Brandon set aside his phone and raised his wine glass, giving it a slight shake. "She's so outstanding, and I'm disabled. I shouldn't stand in her way."<br /> Yorky's shifted his attention to Brandon's faultless, elongated legs and silently looked away.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> As soon as Yvonne stepped into the bedroom, the phone started ringing. After checking the caller ID, she tensed up and walked to the window before answering the call.<br /> "I found the information," a low male voice came through the phone. "On the day your mother passed away, representatives from four influential families in Norbury showed up at your home."<br /> Yvonne's expression turned serious. "Four influential families?"<br /> "That's right!" the person on the other end continued, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, the Yeagers, and ... the Harts."<br /> Yvonne was surprised. "The Harts? Brandon's family?"<br /> "Yes," the person on the other end paused, "In Norbury, there are four prominent families. The Harts, the Smiths, the Anworths, and the Wagners. The Harts hold the foremost position among these four, being a truly elite aristocratic family. Among the families that have members visiting your home, except for the Harts, the other three are considered to be of moderate size."<br /> The person remained silent for a moment before stating, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers. These three families visited your home in search of something. I couldn't find out the specific details, but the person sent by the Harts to your home was Brandon ..."<br /> Yvonne's frigid gaze lifted, and her attractive brows furrowed tightly. "Brandon? What's his purpose?"<br /> "Seems like he's looking for someone."<br /> Yvonne refrained from commenting. She leaned against the bed's edge, and her fair, slender fingers tapped the windowsill slowly. After a considerable pause, she spoke at a measured pace, "Continue the investigation. Find out what the Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers are looking for! You don't need to worry about the Harts. I'll handle it myself."<br /> "Understood."<br /> Chapter 5 You Have No Manners at All!<br /> After hanging up the phone, Yvonne opened the window, gazing at the vivid blue sky outside with a composed expression.<br /> "Mom! Who exactly did you offend?"<br /> When Yvonne left the Anworths at the age of nine, the lasting memories etched in her mind portrayed her mother enduring mistreatment from Madam Anworth, and her mother always enduring it silently.<br /> During that period, she couldn't comprehend why her intelligent and efficient mother, despite being capable, endured bullying without putting up a fight.<br /> Once they left the Anworths, they found themselves being pursued by multiple groups. It was only when her mother demonstrated her enigmatic martial prowess and the art of acupoint sealing with silver needles that she realized her mother wasn't incapable of fighting back. Rather, she was actively avoiding the pursuit of others.<br /> Until one day, her mother received a phone call. At that moment, Yvonne noticed an unusual expression on her mother's face. But being young and having already experienced numerous escapes, she assumed that someone else was after them again.<br /> But that night, her mother took her own life!<br /> She met her demise at the hands of the poison she had personally developed!<br /> Prior to her passing, her mother had instructed her to seek out Master Reid at Haven Abbey, become his apprentice, undergo martial arts training, and remain on the mountain for a decade, tempering her skills for ten years.<br /> Her mother specifically ordered that, upon her death, she be cremated without any memorial erected.<br /> A decade later, she returned to the Anworths to find her father and fulfill her engagement with Brandon.<br /> She faithfully carried out all these instructions, with the sole exception of marrying Brandon.<br /> Over the previous ten years, she had lived under the constant weight of her mother's death every day. She had been determined to seek vengeance and wouldn't have allowed a marriage to obstruct her path.<br /> But then ....<br /> Brandon became entangled in the past events.<br /> With the marriage already canceled, any further investigation into the events of that year required a different approach.<br /> Suddenly, Yvonne's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a tumultuous knocking at the door.<br /> Upon opening the door, she witnessed Madam Anworth storming in accompanied by a group of people from the Anworths.<br /> The group consisted of Madam Anworth's eldest and youngest sons' families, along with Hannah.<br /> The small living room was now crowded with about a dozen people, each displaying visible anger. This resentment intensified, especially upon spotting Yvonne come out, as if they were eager to vent their frustration by tearing her apart.<br /> "Yvonne! You are a troublemaker! Who gave you permission to cancel the engagement with the Harts? What a bitch! Do you still have any respect for me?"<br /> As soon as Madam Anworth saw Yvonne, her elderly and cloudy eyes seemed to express intense anger or frustration.<br /> It was beyond her expectations that Yvonne would independently decide to cancel the engagement.<br /> She wouldn't be aware of it if Master Hart hadn't called.<br /> Fortunately, Master Hart approved of that marriage and didn't raise any objections. He emphasized that despite Brandon's physical disability, half of his future wealth would be allocated to him. If Hannah married Brandon, she wouldn't face any hardships, and she could contribute to supporting the Anworths' business in the future.<br /> Since Yvonne had recently returned, the Anworths had not disclosed her identity publicly. So, Master Hart was unaware that it was Yvonne who intended to marry Brandon, not Hannah.<br /> But Madam Anworth wasn't concerned about these details. In any case, Master Hart had requested the engagement with the granddaughter of the Anworths. So, as long as Yvonne married Brandon, the Anworth would still have received everything they were entitled to.<br /> But this troublemaker Yvonne unexpectedly canceled the engagement!<br /> Yvonne narrowed her eyes, emitting a hint of coldness. She stared at Madam Anworth without saying a word for a long time.<br /> "I'm the reason Yvonne canceled the engagement," Thomas protected Yvonne behind him and said seriously, "If something's bugging you, just address them directly to me."<br /> "Slap!" Madam Anworth slapped him in anger. "How dare you be so ungrateful! Don't you know what this marriage means to the Anworths?"<br /> Initially, she was reluctant to have Hannah marry Brandon. But she didn't formally break off the engagement. Her intention was to find a solution that would secure the Harts' investment while ensuring Hannah's well-being.<br /> But, with the involvement of Yvonne, jeopardizing the relationship with the Harts meant losing any financial benefit.<br /> "What does it mean?" Thomas sarcastically smiled and said, "Isn't it just to maintain your reputation? You look down on Yvonne, so you're willing to sacrifice her?"<br /> "Thomas!" Thomas's eldest brother, Troy Anworth, frowned and said, "How can you speak about Mom that way? She's doing it for the good of the Anworths. Besides, the Harts has assured us that Yvonne will be treated well when she marries into their household."<br /> "He's right, Thomas. Even though Brandon has a physical disability, his family is quite affluent. Look at Yvonne. She grew up in the countryside without receiving much education. She might not have even finished high school at the age of nineteen. She's unable to attend college. Her only option is to work ..."<br /> Ted Anworth, the second eldest brother, said, "Given her qualifications, she can only find jobs like a waitress. In terms of future partners, she can only choose someone ordinary. What's wrong with marrying Brandon? At least, she won't have to worry about her basic needs."<br /> "That's enough!" Thomas exclaimed, "Yvonne is my daughter, and I have the authority to decide whom she marries. No matter how good Brandon is, Yvonne won't be marrying him."<br /> "You!" Troy's face flushed with indignation. "This is utterly illogical!"<br /> Madam Anworth directed her anger towards Thomas, asserting, "You have no authority in this family. Since Yvonne is a granddaughter of the Anworths, she should play her part in supporting the family. We don't tolerate idleness in the Anworths!"<br /> "Hmm!" Yvonne scoffed, her eyes reflecting a touch of scorn.<br /> Madam Anworth abruptly turned her gaze towards her, her eyes sharp as if she had been unexpectedly poisoned. "Why are you laughing?"<br /> Yvonne raised her head, her clear and captivating eyes fixed on Madam Anworth. "I'm laughing at your selective memory! It appears that I haven't received any financial support from you since birth, never been nurtured by you, so where does my contribution come into play?"<br /> Even though she was young at the time, she distinctly recalled that her grandmother never even bought her a piece of candy.<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth was infuriated, her gaze towards Yvonne carrying a trace of bitterness.<br /> This little troublemaker was sharp-tongued!<br /> "Yvonne!" Troy expressed his anger, "How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? She is your elder! Is this how your mother raised you?"<br /> With a nonchalant look, Yvonne's red lips curled slightly, and hands in pockets. She responded, "Sorry, my mom is dead. Why don't you go ask her in the underworld how she taught me?"<br /> Troy's face flushed with anger. "You have no manners at all!"<br /> The rest of the Anworth was infuriated by Yvonne's indifferent demeanor.<br /> But everyone remained silent because Madam Anworth was present.<br /> Despite the unspoken words, the intense glares directed at Yvonne seemed almost predatory. But Yvonne remained unfazed, lifting her chin indifferently.<br /> Madam Anworth observed Yvonne for a prolonged moment. She took deep breaths to quell her anger and softened her tone as she remarked, "Your mother arranged this marriage. She wouldn't harm you. Master Hart expressed his hope that you would still honor the engagement with Brandon."<br /> Yvonne looked at her with a faint smile but did not respond.<br /> Madam Anworth's expression tightened as she spoke sternly, "Yvonne! Let me remind you! The place you currently occupy is my provision. If you refuse to marry Brandon, I will reclaim this house. Besides, your father will be ousted from the company under my authority. As long as I am present, he will be unable to secure employment in Queenstown. Without financial means, he won't be able to sustain your family!"<br /> Before Yvonne could say anything, Thomas stepped forward and earnestly declared, "If you want to take the house, go ahead. I am capable of taking care of my wife and child with my own hands and feet. I refuse to let Yvonne be pushed into a difficult situation!"<br /> Madam Anworth was so angry that she wanted to slap him, but she held it back. She gritted her teeth and looked at Thomas. "Fine! You have courage. I'm curious to see how resilient you can be!"<br /> In a cold tone, Madam Anworth added, "You have one hour to move out. Do it immediately!" | Bad Novel | 17 | https://facebook.com/61554129711665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56883 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 12:52 AM | 1703105785 | 1747720334 | 65 | 245192238321018 | 5 | 1.6303717808225E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100377515694960 | 0 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 120200721515760167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679858 | 1.0037751569496E+14 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404272923_2572055626299902_3305460755590047071_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gy0C0zOkIEAX_gAhLW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfADgfaZhsd5iY99UfHkgjVl1TCIuvfepen7MPx38Fx2nA&oe=6587EB21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 329 | https://facebook.com/100071723169364 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56588 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970759 | 65 | 237104799248311 | 1 | 1.0530409426098E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201716018440115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140455 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405992197_1075802433463234_750596396325977413_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q9d_EVbffL4AX_sEp1E&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCxgZZMdPmTzj97Wgt4xurEkn_NOU9Art-yNZUNVDitYg&oe=6587543D | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406144853_911215087304271_3085115032096733325_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zzuUzSr1S7QAX86t3Lj&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAI-Wfi5mB4ciZs-jTRlpzaBHsqFZGg-uYuDwx7q_c9NQ&oe=65890C03 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56988 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1804535636683786 | 5 | 1.6303717808225E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100377515694960 | 0 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 120200721515760167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679858 | 1.0037751569496E+14 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404272923_2572055626299902_3305460755590047071_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gy0C0zOkIEAX8IYFcd&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDu9Gk8pMqkfGzyqgRD3DWKoBGrMG_Th2CrmUWVNLyUKQ&oe=6587EB21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 329 | https://facebook.com/100071723169364 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56420 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970759 | 65 | 699044418871004 | 1 | 1.0680436310567E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 61713230678 | 0 | Constructor University | 120201612732240517 | constructor.university | Learn more | NONE | video | https://constructor.university/ | 1701428700 | 61713230678 | Constructor University | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407381381_725133739081184_2923294614463295516_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ndWOTo2W9hMAX8WrXEn&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6VIwz1aLWvzUOe4spzZve4DypLU3aBjnZD7htsDrc3g&oe=6589010F | person_profile | 0 | Constructor University | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407455489_1438240180369006_2938070211127740689_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kpzKA3NMQV0AX87pdjL&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfACUtAWV082eEixms-JO425E2GK7Y9LBk9DqjMRJNCusg&oe=6587EF11 | 0 | 3 | Watch as our students tackle the ultimate Constructor University trivia challenge! <br /> <br /> #Trivia #UniTrivia #ConstructorUniversity #University #Challenge | Constructor University | 38923 | https://facebook.com/constructor.university | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56789 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970759 | 65 | 881283130171976 | 1 | 1.0813056865579E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201123542050123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700827910 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405086065_1064799631963019_5884123303672008553_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fxC0d7nXK0YAX9UNSGF&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAs0olj2lITJjXSzNQBNY9xT9g0oUr3i0qCYXhphG7C6A&oe=658872A4 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405311367_1379194099684101_6796675279183476601_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N6sgPIaqA9AAX9TiQSB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDbCrDMGe-87KpXbEVnYQfw8XDm1_VCt09LMXOnbPaFZw&oe=6588DA41 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56603 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970759 | 65 | 368873165610620 | 1 | 1.0161773427993E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715935980115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140260 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406047342_1422871328651000_213736946357916651_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ysfuwLwAHwwAX8U9LI0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDIGyz_DYKI_Yv01BCG50gkhFD3pVPTCDYYMLNEjYpQdg&oe=65876814 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406054089_323549160447655_6732314167069350443_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BOyC-uY78OIAX_40Ny8&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDVvxFnHgAoXS9ADBXCBE_gG1dTVZfpmF-gUCULLN7Bw&oe=6588F417 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56549 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1012385926649123 | 1 | 8.9445812229072E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210412830123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701171823 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406245564_877513090826276_6455461630920113696_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0SZy5uTCbgUAX-QSosg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDSK8AQ4mV24lQPrwFftJ70a50s2hUmDL6naIKQVj8i4Q&oe=6588DB0F | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406213007_689518513278439_5577387788219369785_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rQuwZA-7W5sAX-WeoK6&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC9UUXmK9zOS78tREp8zmeBcd_ApF91WrBqTk3BBg6wPA&oe=6588ADF2 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56557 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970759 | 65 | 659994516270031 | 3 | 5.910962964769E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685804160123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053424 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402878531_354341610288079_3486703522383667875_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wHGPYoB3CTwAX9qMlhg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBZwmHygbkgvqNq1hnqPAachyxDebwlR3hF3cl3Ql739A&oe=65881196 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401570857_1087186825781902_94503910363973304_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NEf-gCCL5tUAX_B_z5B&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfABjXSFBk8dezYErfB6p7GpO-thQQ3FogNpcAgIEcLdUw&oe=6587D7CD | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55311 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970759 | 65 | 372429891971073 | 1 | 2.5105598448116E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 103515762565245 | 0 | Flex TV | 120203765447580319 | www.flextvnow.co | Learn more | NONE | video | You can watching more drama series on FLEX TV whenever you are bored🥰 | https://www.flextvnow.co/w2a/facebook.html?code=m0WRMQ21x3&page_type=1&pixel_id=926060211689698&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&site_source_name={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1702958512 | 1.0351576256524E+14 | Flex TV | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412258186_326451343620286_5981064928612934244_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=usGWRaLR4HgAX-6PzK-&_nc_oc=AQlavx9KyegKunyEM0Uww9n3gk43vz0b6OAaGbiJQtVtEXmv9Axokj-7pJeALrL0Xkw&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCFXyote-sX9TdfeYwxybb19aysMxJ0ACHSDeBx3Xb30Q&oe=65891ABE | person_profile | 0 | Flex TV | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412251624_258718096968232_1833833796075628695_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WW2TMFJ85q0AX_XmVji&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCfqfSTRkWD9NusiCeAd2QZqjrMVwuuOTCBkElaHnRvQg&oe=65884F79 | 0 | 3 | 👀❤️🔥🔞Gianna, the heiress to the Lawrence family, couldn't believe it when she found out her fiancé was cheating on her with her half-sister. Heartbroken, she goes to a bar to get drunk, only to have a passionate night with a handsome guy named Logan. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be the boss of Solomon Consortium, and his request was for me to sign a marriage contract with him. | Flex TV | 56323 | https://facebook.com/flextvus | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55819 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970759 | 65 | 1685863198563763 | 2 | 3.1333757819738E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169359400427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462145 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699305_325014423758079_6818913830596953645_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2m56Du_QWSIAX8wuHck&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBBhjiJTbJtjP0Z2GZ-JPXYE8jVF5S3EtXcI-JVx5_XyA&oe=6588F85F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699774_1342524206625795_7575472445143958285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GO4eZ_i9veAAX9ts0Em&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAMWXO3I856E1IIC_ELRVxmAH18fqzBHLequJ1qRzLO4A&oe=65881371 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55966 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970759 | 65 | 697274639161297 | 1 | 7.2962273870616E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1693169450742739 | 0 | Beata Skrzypczak Opowiemci | 6533582704695 | NONE | image | 1702384877 | 1.6931694507427E+15 | Beata Skrzypczak Opowiemci | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409862119_801717245055782_576710611942551003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CAoOnEKd4Q4AX-9iPA-&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3P6zZ5MELmNT_DzDAkipeCcA-ps0gfyt_4Ur1fETQCA&oe=6588FD4D | person_profile | 0 | Beata Skrzypczak | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410303993_899453521804369_6925918770872645899_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XwvXnNdLNdYAX9b93zZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAdG3VlCCBIfSGP4xTffb4-5ChZ7nVVE7i_H8RHXuHCHA&oe=6587E722 | 0 | 3 | Piosenka, która zawsze przychodzi ci na myśl na hasło „Święta Bożego Narodzenia” to…<br /> <br /> Święta to czas, kiedy świat zatrzymuje się na chwilę, by świętować miłość i wspólne tradycje. Właśnie w takim duchu napisana została książka Joanny Kończak „Świętujemy cały rok! 36 świąt z różnych stron świata”. To nie tylko opowieść o świętach, ale też zaproszenie do wspólnego odkrywania kulturowej różnorodności naszej planety.<br /> <br /> Każde święto, opisane w tej książce staje się otwartymi drzwiami na świat, przez które wpada zapach egzotycznych przypraw, dźwięki nieznanej muzyki, a przede wszystkim - różnorodność tradycji i zwyczajów. Od Chińskiego Nowego Roku, przez karnawał w Wenecji i boliwijskim Oruro, po egzotyczne obchody takie jak Japońskie Hanami.<br /> <br /> Dla rodzica nie ma chyba większej radości niż obserwowanie, jak własne dziecko z zaciekawieniem i uśmiechem odkrywa świat. „Świętujemy cały rok!” to przepiękny album, który umożliwia opiekunom dzielenie się tą radością z dziećmi, wprowadzając je w zrozumienie i szacunek do różnorodności kultur. To przewodnik po świecie, który rozbudza ciekawość i uczy otwartości. <br /> <br /> Joanna Kończak z troską o szczegóły przedstawia każde święto. Jej opowieść to nie tylko sucha relacja z obchodów, ale przede wszystkim pełna ciepła narracja, która podkreśla znaczenie wspólnego świętowania, pamięci o przodkach, radości i wspólnotowego doświadczania ważnych momentów w różnych kulturach. Podoba mi się jak ilustracje i tekst tworzą harmonijną całość. Barwy i wzory na ilustracjach tętnią życiem, sprawiając, że czytelnik czuje się, jakby sam uczestniczył w tych radosnych celebracjach. To książka, która przez piękno słowa i obrazu uczy szacunku dla innych kultur i radości płynącej z poznawania ich unikalnych tradycji. Coś wspaniałego!<br /> <br /> [Za książkę dziękuję @wydawnictwo_nasza_ksiegarnia #współpracareklamowa – barter]<br /> <br /> #naszaksiegarnia #współpracareklamowa #bookstagrampolska #bookstagrampl #idąświęta #święta #książki #ksiazkidladzieci #literaturadziecięca #kochamczytać #bookoholic #wartprzeczytać #christmastree #christmasdecoration #hellodecember #christmasiscoming #stilllife_perfection #softones_perfection #festiveseason #światełka #tisthes | Beata Skrzypczak Opowiemci | 3605 | https://facebook.com/opowiemcibeataskrzypczak | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55383 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970759 | 65 | 317899624491943 | 1 | 9.6873422769334E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104290518941686 | 0 | Pal Stories | 120202602412380225 | simbaly.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://simbaly.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt-ext/ | 1702959102 | 1.0429051894169E+14 | Pal Stories | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410763586_1062995318177784_7598354077833982052_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bc6oVHdFLmwAX_1cqa5&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD5oaPyGyr0yR7_mBQYcQSp8NB6iQeS2XL5dGr1C-Z8hw&oe=658925C2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Pal Stories | 70 | https://facebook.com/100082615141175 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56725 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/12/25, 6:05 PM | 1703105783 | 1744499133 | 65 | 353552027358548 | 8 | 3.5265593721915E+14 | 1701158400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103925852704978 | 0 | Family Clothing 4 | 120200787301830169 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA Y1 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-y1 | 1698375286 | 1.0392585270498E+14 | Family Clothing 4 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/395837234_826817829445284_8714417843147309276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zPUQ-P_lKEkAX9ze1v3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBN2ku0xYlv8IrXy-McSj6k4ie6KcM1eA4EUIjNVXpKJw&oe=658850CA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limitited edition - This shirt is for you<br /> Order here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3ZeX7TcUUc1cOzp2TFH6LaAsTJ1nxTjLKofk1yIzyyy7Y_iCbRS4EQEoD2WmnEaq6MuYmkKPUkeP90YTdIn35g-ZK87lADE21vIqibgjIRREFLRvCRaq2CRb_D1smHHOWyxXrrxbZ-XrMuXJ1pA1xtNL3H4R2t9KpQa47g2v0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Clothing 4 | 98 | https://facebook.com/100092689473077 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56501 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970760 | 65 | 760779362623160 | 1 | 6.6291323601784E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203115909990294 | dreame.onelink.me | Download | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | https://m.dreame.com/novel/1800871680?auto_jump=true&utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_prt=risingtechnolog&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701257139 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405372357_1384637925510372_1614277024927543971_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JAUs1WNzdh4AX_yLdza&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBpxnpfQ8dTL5RXQ-GTEtJxRYJwygeQXbTUPaXuXk3c3Q&oe=65878B3F | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405222696_1528635891292036_3420862368355239083_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PJk2OR6TAUsAX_0aq34&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCrh2bOie6dn-dFXcwmbv_UzluZtzchhcUy-uyVEu_PHA&oe=65880F5E | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56472 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 4:05 PM | 1703105781 | 1742418301 | 65 | 294635126260007 | 5 | 3.6876741415128E+15 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120201748383350520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332841 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406363021_345636751393432_2906570750900288556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=553eN9ykOb0AX_ru6Mu&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfARk8XAr9_6fD69f8pzelL-49DVQgNXOoctEkNPe327Ag&oe=6587D8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56899 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970760 | 65 | 320159540777140 | 5 | 6.7252928135758E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779124310250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678212 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625066_3576316099290479_3496808059134504848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PNE-Nwr-wvYAX9X_4jc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9UNTBFsdIB-iL5fkngpSMnEaNOTIsnMx012weryA4rw&oe=6587E3EF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55916 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970760 | 65 | 901554821563951 | 4 | 3.5401332059324E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 628160127204842 | 0 | Current Joys | 6500421349489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | https://www.kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702081435 | 6.2816012720484E+14 | Current Joys | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408681726_176422802226375_8312769769579719214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sYXLg853rmUAX-7KtCs&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCKKzJpaVXgqPfIXUKhsV8qhQbYoKvKQ3iVOGsMVVtBnA&oe=658869F5 | person_profile | 0 | Nick Rattigan | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408696114_6968690256558989_6780716849760001332_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sq9wANDsGRIAX99q_dY&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCPE_3eI7tVpr13ClG93FOOZhEfG0AzikywuOggUuDREg&oe=6588D9C6 | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024!<br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2EN1gCFMO6uf1hAIxcfhuNHchzx6kjLSVvpas-M1AuX0TqPMeBlT_AwdEcJsTghHNRYdaFXIPy1fdcMCsXNHMgYbru1ehRBLaFtiuUo-uEb_TQJIKHlHnjlWl5h_YFtEdQfILHyHJ8773casZ2OL7ci1vM_7F1v2DYcA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Current Joys | 34308 | https://facebook.com/currentjoys | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55509 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970761 | 65 | 330189903205950 | 1 | 2.9950156308197E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202766079530465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702381 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411388950_732591325080922_3640642186348620709_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=57zuAmg3CeAAX9gHOtA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5qhnb_dYvnSFzSnTmy901K10oPIIYqiUE-XFXaJ6K_g&oe=6587CB1F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411418613_263916916364448_5601478904939456656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fHQfzsLPRWwAX_FLHaJ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAjXmYCC4V4Og3Opz6BY3iPRQyd5HgIb28fQw_1lisBZg&oe=6587AC28 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56525 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970761 | 65 | 320294867440646 | 1 | 3.2995894978423E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748980530115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227801 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406084265_1784993265275658_3230747605053430679_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=trHjTkSnaCoAX9N4WQa&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAeoB3TrHU79sFfKF1KA3ZQxifgSN9dkAgQi5QhYhfVhA&oe=6588E576 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406078262_647653717291263_1852620199478842436_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KE6CuwM6bC8AX-NraUk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDf1vmFUZm46KF0ly4MBikv8md-ZtVRY2dHlKujAf0x2Q&oe=6588EE89 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55965 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970761 | 65 | 797008272184952 | 3.7343665201549E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 108954990605691 | 0 | Biomolecules MDPI | 120202479381740217 | NONE | image | 1702386800 | 1.0895499060569E+14 | Biomolecules MDPI | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409984561_256718954094424_5039224369170278964_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oF4ekUWkw-YAX-eXRdX&_nc_oc=AQlzyHTJFg0-BaOqg4pOMopct_ll1z76OStFbQSn1ubABotcnIwB2fL_Q7-AF5GGsQf6cmsxo9U1Ncyo2iO2wwLz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC8Ch95znQQYfRrO22nqimyL6GdW-kWfb08m4NgPzArsg&oe=6588EB52 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Recently Published <br /> <br /> Read now ➡️ "MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Histone-Modifying Enzymes in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications" by Joanna Szczepanek and Andrzej Tretyn from Nicolaus Copernicus University. <br /> <br /> The article 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ft.ly%2Fdm4dD&h=AT2NWh9028542y8Y2SZknG2QaAUmSDjzVouAovXVdnl2gGvv5QDcd6Hl23J4Y1npiNaqGk7k7bw2hnuJsO-yEYhXGxHoB0KV8SIzg7cppT1xvvIHdQc-p8b637gZbJaU9WyvSIf0xm_DGApiATCB2vVjq8zpYKYhCCD9XQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://t.ly/dm4dD</a> | Biomolecules MDPI | 5083 | https://facebook.com/BiomoleculesMDPIJournal | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56008 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970761 | 65 | 3542306492747811 | 5 | 2.0273732176431E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 142784355782658 | 0 | Deep South Pout | 6558951605251 | deepsouthpout.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Join JB & Morgan LIVE NOW! | https://deepsouthpout.com/ | 1702320096 | 1.4278435578266E+14 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406836858_2060788797619891_1656643504790159034_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dmlk9GlY0PEAX-PkgwN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_YeAZChmOklQ-QLOYEtRGly4_X9XpbzDgJ5qQThebjA&oe=65892BA6 | person_profile | 0 | Deep South Pout | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406846471_372431751956090_7541719638904170117_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ib0wswbn5-AAX8O3H31&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDUWFiP8S5FBrj_njQGcTBiQkDzhAtcWq96rLfXMPZyg&oe=6587B530 | 0 | 3 | for a sneak peek at our NEW YEAR'S EVE collection! ✨ Elevate your celebrations with glamorous pieces and trendsetting outfits. | Deep South Pout | 86056 | https://facebook.com/DeepSouthPout | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55867 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970761 | 65 | 1074227130282164 | 1 | 2.5356365083736E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220112170670 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449336 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410635492_1136737980645433_700333165720064703_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hnnTzjAT_koAX-dMWwg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAbXD1_-O4af9_FQphMxWTd5oVkSr-ex0VSDcJ7xdCvBw&oe=65890153 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410622842_283641670883178_9085018069825129936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zdu2TfjDUA8AX98RlYA&_nc_oc=AQkgYvVNE26dqvhE3zBGMJyDd5TStQT87Ee0Te7XJqlLNxXqda8RHLC4twTZTdIUN3YY7bJbvGSm0Njc0lO45Se4&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBnGoNQX0DgaZEo3BeD0Jpy7jhExzeVq5k4dJMB4Ugvew&oe=65883B16 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56342 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970761 | 65 | 712792293839116 | 1 | 9.1002754735398E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 308901506171176 | 0 | Luluna Slings | 6522344556501 | NONE | multi_images | 1701774738 | 3.0890150617118E+14 | Luluna Slings | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408257810_3599877313616570_128746928394773749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SCk4Xpk8wbYAX93Vep4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPh6hXctl5gZQHEU9war_3jX6rMNgiaQcnW8gY0RQgYg&oe=658821CA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🐺 DRAW TO PURCHASE 🐺 <br /> Saint Nicholas' Day FREE SHIPPING <br /> <br /> GEO WOLF MOONLIGHT<br /> 100% combed cotton, approx. 270 gsm<br /> <br /> Wolves Lovers,<br /> It's been long time when last Geo Wolf was here! Very long time! So now we want you remind about this beautiful pattern! Please welcome new Geo Wolf Moonlight ♥ It comes from the depths of space and it is looking for a new loving home! Do you know that there is a constellation called the Wolf? From Latin they call it "Lupus" and it is located in the deep Southern Sky! This pattern is simple beautiful. <br /> The Wolf Moonlight is very strong and durable because of high quality combed cotton. It is equally cuddly and soft at the same time. Amazing shades of black looks very magical like black night - just like the sky in the night full of shiny... Wolves! <br /> <br /> Available:<br /> s7 (5,2m) for €119<br /> s6 (4,6m) for €114<br /> s5 (4,2m) for €109<br /> s4 (3,6m) for €104<br /> s3 (3,2m) for €99<br /> scarf (2,0m) for €84<br /> <br /> Everyone who wants to purchase a wrap, please email us at lulunaslings@gmail.com <br /> Remember to include the size of the wrap you’d like to buy and of course your PayPal address! <br /> If you don't have PayPal please add info that you want to pay via bank transfer / credit card. <br /> The draw lasts until December 6th and we will send a message to happy winners about 10 a.m. CET.<br /> You have 1h to make a payment once you receive invoice from us.<br /> If you are outside Europe please let us know the country. Because of time difference we will give you more time to pay.<br /> Because we celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day 6th December there is free shipping for you as gift ♥<br /> <br /> Luluna <br /> <br /> (c) Luluna Slings (c) Joanna Weyna<br /> <br /> #wolfteam | Luluna Slings | 50486 | https://facebook.com/lulunaslings | 0 | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56178 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970762 | 65 | 374839598536840 | 1 | 2.9717846936116E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672527560427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030497 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409437205_719318033135891_2686802493913475217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AcMH3tt4-NoAX9hn-nz&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBS6-blK8JCb7gpFI2OfzUUTW7FRLcFO3ntIuQii3Da2A&oe=65880882 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409039767_881120893569662_7042145441669489418_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YH-99uD_dtQAX_23ldY&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAMA8Cj8CdBJua0Y1UF00LVlxZAVt7q_CseOZ6Ox_okXQ&oe=6587FD9C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55301 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970762 | 65 | 1739382859874834 | 1 | 7.4089277462154E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 198182270223092 | 0 | Dr. Michelle Corral | 6521060514755 | NONE | video | 1703003856 | 1.9818227022309E+14 | Dr. Michelle Corral | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412275466_1127007094955496_2348621006286252144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QyB2o79r1R0AX8V6LgY&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA_sPUFHQTIavirGuBj6vqV72AW8Ezn-ebPCV2zJ2exIw&oe=65875E54 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Breath of the Spirit School of Ministry Anaheim Campus There is more to the Nativity Narrative than meets the eye. Did you ever want to know about the man who raised the Messiah ? What does the Bible teach about his personality profile ? How did he react to the difficulties of the destiny placed upon him from heaven. Is there evidence historically why he lived in Nazareth when his ancestral property was in Bethlehem ? What about Mary’s willingness to be stoned to death for the Word entrusted to her ? Experience it #nativity #boldandbrave | Dr. Michelle Corral | 892627 | https://facebook.com/Dr.Corral | 0 | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55487 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970763 | 65 | 889011812509506 | 1 | 3.5974354330565E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508986000427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806651 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409996357_1539416883488296_1521917243072426882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_L4haWQTeHsAX9-HnJz&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC8lMmTNAZDynw5s_MhknuAZYVyWCg7HEd04qGVrURrJg&oe=6587EB43 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409963882_2019915058383519_797921044547365648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LD02XAzlPLsAX8BHeQv&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPcCLvUKtVgEgukJfcy03UUmyl8fIzxI_sRlPS0Fwa8A&oe=6588DD61 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55486 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970763 | 65 | 1100572987620600 | 1 | 1.500475097403E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205509151610427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806621 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411459332_860886442185655_3610561373309024120_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KS56n3k0wyIAX8az09Y&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvwElESBsM1lV-VBT4KN_9p-BzLxg6xe4nDKubRegxng&oe=6588C254 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411481865_321240374129268_1478670247787849453_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fcx49-_7ZSwAX-ggRda&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBTsNME3eqD_RfpBOkaOBbZluKDRo_BCRmS-g9gBSUMA&oe=658805F2 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55813 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970766 | 65 | 375794331590682 | 1 | 3.6413301613222E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509790410308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462352 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409191260_731503051811872_2847462601982440057_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EYb1-T6cuqkAX9AVZZz&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAgkhzVV1Sp_0pMTOTJPDBi7K9EKJWSWw9ivd9LQqd_uA&oe=65874BF1 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409192115_653982180281918_2671200473846779001_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w7cnY_BHaRYAX-mz0Vg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUGRkBPaS-QbG2qSWW5uGdR8aCS6VEpJdW0o_cSAfEsg&oe=65885A10 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55817 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970766 | 65 | 240397298929921 | 1 | 3.0081070961072E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169454740427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462311 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409179791_1329805031000652_1113919301027345853_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=P8m21SZsPeMAX-35vxS&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJcOsOGzr31poPNSbq2y4cLN2lEneLTXyV3OyIxE0Gkg&oe=65875681 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410768884_576855231265029_5807836947363620355_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dx5lIVVA4GUAX_H_zrS&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfADqZC1i4SNTiJ-0Fqlk5d8-_bfNpxNYEkj5JF6tlrfrQ&oe=6587CAE9 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55836 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970766 | 65 | 733416252027601 | 1 | 6.598384496867E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411473770044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458268 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409764702_390332543430205_8131728287677125891_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n1bMFGkmv-cAX-hnHgs&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBHUKoLuXjyZO1C1h6oZklBESbpjYW1JTRp6rK0-ybwbA&oe=658890AC | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583146_2011435122562894_475236473943778552_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jjL0LF1spfsAX9ky3Xu&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDiriTMtGPikmkJVFpoDIs5Yrr3gtNcvUetckjr37wGiw&oe=6588A429 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55844 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 1106705150510042 | 1 | 1.0630939980655E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411460780044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458245 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410659600_1401504303785386_1133938408285869578_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U3Y8EC5n67IAX_G8sGB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCmH0JnB_lDCT1iMWHSXodahZdFzU874oQ5lqNvO3nb1Q&oe=6588C44A | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410663764_7131883673541470_8503339967522906785_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BaMwDfsy6jQAX-cNpgk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRJgA0Wq2ZvbnUvLvLGMZrrvQWxNxKn18NIpGm90Sc_g&oe=6588148F | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55855 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 385620450571432 | 1 | 3.7610357489045E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434496920465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447735 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409845103_1104982403737017_3354036724626691066_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EQSDBTwqAjUAX9J6UXk&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAuDEs9wwFo84KOTU34-r8PXTMr9uyFXvE5rcODn0sYdA&oe=65882EC0 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409744527_862005142056359_982591847832200209_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W9f9qVvYikIAX9JEgd_&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHKDaIHlXgV9lWcON3wntsbKknwxiXbCJDtMmDPwZt6A&oe=6588F01F | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55861 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 744152844224132 | 1 | 3.781809379411E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434460260465 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447460 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410167494_1573902049681356_1020800714980239380_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NbMLkTD5VAwAX-fx__b&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDhrObHSvdUaOGmBD71ZbjOR6pWYZSeW_U_OkNaQ-dog&oe=6587F693 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699254_317858954422161_5274834616800638825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w5_3J7uIj2MAX91TPPm&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAWKtYazbFPcIEU72ha922SnsbE1ax86MTdxFGQ0Zw9vA&oe=658790BE | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55878 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 1030571721329852 | 1 | 1.0226125223548E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109543882001550 | 0 | SAKURA.Live.selling | 120202411219210721 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"When is your live schedule?"},{"title":"Can we buy from overseas ?"},{"title":"Is it authentic item ?"}],"text":"Thank you for coming to our page"}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702451402 | 1.0954388200155E+14 | SAKURA.Live.selling | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409161069_1005243720579708_9067242532416089245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1MJ7WvyORUwAX_QM0HK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwGjAFy0SqRsyQXlwzn045ork_jEZ-7TZI5nGcrZnajA&oe=658762DE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | SAKURA.Live.selling | 744 | https://facebook.com/100088417007723 | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55892 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 734822398521671 | 4 | 2.2562299381458E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501559831689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428631 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409929540_6393341850769630_7090284699553581087_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q26mA_4XJs8AX9NiISR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBgaGE0EQmUX9TphYO_75FJpHlcGV4oLfKiY8dz5f_NQQ&oe=65880C34 | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409964918_1710523439447215_5184178883098815847_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BtST2vjgK38AX92Vd6T&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxl3566lOtMdH741uwFCxOT-rSGKFpk7CtTPI-foHKLg&oe=6587E09C | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT031L7JCU-TFoErN1G2YCFCUON96cFbRiKuNFIyHE0NFrt-jE15V9sNs21tVAWDrkEjjdjW_907GIhGtLaFPk8Pp30JGkpITjXHfucbiVrnB1ClEwCzZ-zLnEcM4H9KPU5p_bqi6CrI__3kvvppRJIdMd3I_X71ecEnOVlavy8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55949 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/7/25, 9:09 PM | 1703105775 | 1744078145 | 65 | 2280571075455834 | 5 | 1.4427714265846E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207706766100456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390147 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408507056_1041312267106374_2010214942325827276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JUnonXS52ncAX8d1dhd&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDGrwexPrh65yx1maMr-Svu9dhjzjsR47mS24Oz7ToVhQ&oe=6588D70F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55991 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970767 | 65 | 3479754862274236 | 1 | 7.4709679758359E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201682339030743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702370475 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409595599_6743736045734755_9181400323064655724_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E0yeS0BiWPkAX9KBlhH&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAJGsV9vas4Ibz5cnSqTeWkVVQe7iw2Ti-H7uOWQMkFPA&oe=65883DCE | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410385977_330486686542751_8904658587734209783_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mom92l72L-0AX9MDXcQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfD2DzcKn9mlzdcyA2tjJn9Cion__YZwexH7OQLPQHibNg&oe=6587A575 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56018 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970767 | 65 | 302822108747035 | 3 | 2.0897465891648E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216185130123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310359 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409646672_2234156483426150_4773485045305222681_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IkX00QFGVvUAX_SKeFe&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC1Zsb-OQ2NOu-g08at8sfYhsj5hjm030j85QmC_MQ92w&oe=6587FFF3 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410294290_746461520667737_7894401800507642632_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NMUaeNNnvQ0AX_GvG78&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBCGx4wi3oyat-3ONBsMnuEl9XuB9rI3XHkBdSeZxS_uA&oe=65874B69 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56023 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970767 | 65 | 1482200362623053 | 1 | 1.0452459432703E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107824375422048 | 0 | Trendy Made | 120201706730720086 | trendymatter.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.trendymatter.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702295524 | 1.0782437542205E+14 | Trendy Made | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409626285_885505606403964_4749810941215221182_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jJ8Of6u32zAAX8Sgykh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSeSTJ9DzztBDFKUUZKx-WLnmQhuiDaKXFs6yJviOtNw&oe=658912B9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Trendy Made | 991 | https://facebook.com/100086348165223 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56020 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970767 | 65 | 878946303832389 | 2 | 3.1601919460082E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216185080123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310315 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406836688_266288373102733_362970838354008203_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KtJjSuNHCDkAX9DJllu&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLkzXDe_nYflJv3VlQUvdZb2XVWDv-ztMQTPVmIMIPNQ&oe=6589026F | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408464134_365323619323422_1611467445753259670_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nyJiAIROvaoAX-rfJ3R&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxbtroU7Rsu8N4oAv_IkrDbXEHhelRGWvFLoiEepC-aA&oe=6588BE0B | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56057 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970767 | 65 | 3254959804649502 | 2 | 3.3820330224427E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974637340427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287782 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409917914_329899353157819_1748137161604397769_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1smLEn8e5iUAX9PK_Vy&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCunh0qBMQe3jFC_u9DNinieF7sWFI3FxK8blKNjBkrSg&oe=65894205 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583145_710890170750589_8631795514721858609_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-pmaAxh9_bQAX9xz6iL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBR5sfZ7v9oZvfS_xwcRzlP9scZPsOurxvZEosMU4ivqw&oe=65887210 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56099 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970767 | 65 | 872377534620906 | 1 | 8.9805479858063E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259872480476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180980 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409415332_2482541048600813_2220596155296607806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2gw_PjUWdRIAX-04OZ8&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPH_ffYTP-MltJEuTWAOTUQjNY0jeoOtjQk3Mb-MGiXw&oe=65876E8E | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409586259_892794372256027_7208084310774528573_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v1i6zMGeUoUAX8dYCwW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCinQBQ06S346DsMMgPy1TsU4NpmtYpu90XJixTiIyKVg&oe=6587DEEE | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56109 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970767 | 65 | 3224282497873912 | 1 | 8.573517292053E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259701920476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180908 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409152070_713127643826556_430913722573609140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=akdi1pcamnIAX82SNQh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCr_x2-nEz4cyNaaNCMdBl6QB25y_En5pwyMOCn1B_zBw&oe=65883FA0 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409440829_637014808404983_2416653902502638540_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=649QJc2b1Z0AX9emFWn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqIvnby3wnqqUrfVFUp93wVFSId-F9tkxQmDRO8NZFUA&oe=6588F5E5 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56116 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970767 | 65 | 731311388438045 | 6.8324127058314E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 988423477976346 | 0 | Amelia Smith | 120201929951850606 | glamgirlscosmetics.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's Giveaway - Upgrade Your Kitchen! | Chip & Joanna's Giveaway - Upgrade Your Kitchen! | https://glamgirlscosmetics.com/cooking/?kw=cv05 | 1702156322 | 9.8842347797635E+14 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408788383_1432344543990394_6359263602561814849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wWTs8gmEafEAX_1d1TE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB7Y1AmknIorWrQUjMeLDKwM72BalXIJ8LwgarQp1uTQQ&oe=65879580 | person_profile | 0 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408846635_1511898109647580_2320806773064191295_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zr3XnRfUT2wAX-KW8I5&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBc15W2lgFnPL5wga2A3IuAyKGL5roBeZpOKsOJ-s0wpQ&oe=6588C245 | 0 | 3 | If you're seeing this ad then the giveaway is still going on :) | Amelia Smith | 1257 | https://facebook.com/ameliasmithmakeup | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56128 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 8:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1723773543 | 65 | 187112304484103 | 2 | 6.8365060797666E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155244060476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094414 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409611104_318448204438886_8638835221095434688_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XpxUyqBBtQIAX-ZtRAX&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAtM8poVK6BgAKLMg4-F10Iea23x7LK8_jjN3VaR5ZhPg&oe=6588FBD0 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409454440_372683605156633_2767042502382784483_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N7itPakPsq8AX9EjyPT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDCphSX-xPc1udI6fCEbsUhZ1qibR-IQjnav3IRwP0bcg&oe=65890EA8 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56181 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 10:52 AM | 1703105777 | 1747151545 | 65 | 332455749731751 | 1 | 1.2580176250442E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672514520427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030390 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408471863_879216430269897_8343435945003560872_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=THGPCQeVZYsAX-Tjub6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDtkok11Ea9pOjRnQLtw6-zyw7yERT1eeeQTHiMnWqwFA&oe=658749CD | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409394603_1194368098633485_6472962531005575193_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0pX23EmRkSwAX-eVfKs&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCO94PVzUs5AhmhdH89ejVs2Tiu2_UOefCI6vcy5NpLzg&oe=658869EE | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56194 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970768 | 65 | 2506634536181798 | 2 | 9.6986490755586E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672498300427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030476 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407648177_3599858346925791_2482798467530470749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nSq3hk97WYoAX-TcEBE&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfD-CXaH7uAWqfAUS-h8dbhq2Jkb8sAJ31ZF1er81esPaw&oe=65884832 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408004552_891403172166961_1445014270506449206_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l0VmXrkoJcAAX9a79oA&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAr3nsIY_8-cnptDhEDClRliTAzmhZ-v6TVGHFlpLF8uQ&oe=65886996 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56210 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970768 | 65 | 1083991899680509 | 1 | 1.4434314831834E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074086100476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016106 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407936724_24297776169837321_1467653870127564483_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_nsCIBVNJ_wAX8xukO9&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfB-9yCV5jR9mis3dUz4Qy5UN6pEqfXeNfEZp_IQMuXPMQ&oe=65889441 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408075960_1020445955832159_356731396094136067_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qpo5kR0IxfgAX-nL6mA&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCXg95to7fKBxgwQwAz4TBrj9-Vm0g3ad8B2AxEN_sbnw&oe=65884FA4 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56267 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970768 | 65 | 1076259650228066 | 3 | 6.7167257495275E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997247500476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940628 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711733_869063961370764_1250190466952440748_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pk-9U6uFao8AX-uBzRU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxpVjOS-7UBmeF05VGN19ALEWitrBUKSatGhrgNfz3Ww&oe=65881CA2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711513_202165636277131_7914356587387540709_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6OhkofpWkPMAX-0rdnD&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpcUXUlzu3PvWry56VVSSd-d_8TltntdqFnrwGX6m7xg&oe=6587831E | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56268 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970768 | 65 | 1424831578414640 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997239550476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940590 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408118502_1736045236899934_4997535034756952065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3-hvFOejEDEAX9QCp-7&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAVvoQq6-3VGetcTrBp0Wo4xnQU8RRL69Upa08lyw6EWQ&oe=658749AE | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408172176_385027250754344_2978245375606607267_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ElSo3UT70q4AX9d8oN5&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDliapZhqVm4O9B_HfSptPLhW0KJ0q16R2bL_jC3zzVtQ&oe=6587A4B8 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56274 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970769 | 65 | 6588041531324890 | 1 | 1.3577346015137E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 122629291142502 | 0 | Teatr Wielki w Łodzi | 120202582253020211 | operalodz.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Spektakle - Teatr Wielki w Łodzi | https://www.operalodz.com/O_SOLE_ITALIANO_-_KONCERT_SYLWESTROWO-NOWOROCZNY,29,531 | 1701697359 | 1.226292911425E+14 | Teatr Wielki w Łodzi | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408229858_198941839959626_7677781899193778798_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4F7KRfMii_QAX9gwa2w&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwsN_xJW6U0lUz89J5fJoGpKf-Ja16VwAuub9SBFGwVw&oe=6588E69C | person_profile | 0 | Teatr Wielki w Łodzi | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408281960_871359291307999_7680236030109120853_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n6iZIvbAe-0AX8pS33i&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBu4AxUWAvja00op4Rbt-qB7R2D_sQoBs9shTGEfO8uHg&oe=658753FB | 0 | 3 | Nowy 2024 rok powitamy w eleganckim, karnawałowym stylu! Przed nami O SOLE ITALIANO sylwestrowo-noworoczna włoska gala operowa. Co prawda bilety na sylwestra 31 grudnia zostały już wyprzedane, ale zapraszamy jeszcze 30 grudnia i 1 stycznia! 🎭<br /> <br /> 🎉 Wyczarujemy dla Was świat z operowej baśni, w której postacie z różnych dzieł muzycznych spotkają się podczas jednego wieczoru na scenie Teatru Wielkiego w Łodzi. Kierownictwo muzyczne objął dyrygent i kompozytor, dyrektor artystyczny Teatru Wielkiego w Łodzi, Maestro Rafał Janiak. <br /> <br /> 🇮🇹 Gala w reżyserii Krzysztofa Korwina-Piotrowskiego i choreografii Beaty Brożek-Grabarczyk przeniesie nas do karnawału w Wenecji i słonecznego Neapolu, także w elementach dekoracji oraz projekcjach na ekranie. <br /> <br /> 🎼 Bogaty repertuar będzie obejmował dzieła najwspanialszych włoskich kompozytorów: Belliniego, Donizettiego, Leoncavalla, Pucciniego, Rossiniego i Verdiego. Wieczór dopełnią uwertury do „włoskich” operetek Johanna Straussa "Karnawał w Rzymie" i "Noc w Wenecji". W ostatniej części zabrzmią słynne pieśni neapolitańskie.<br /> <br /> Wystąpią:<br /> ⭐️ Aleksandra Borkiewicz-Cłapińska<br /> ⭐️ Patrycja Krzeszowska<br /> ⭐️ Agnieszka Makówka<br /> ⭐️ Joanna Woś<br /> ⭐️ Stepan Drobit<br /> ⭐️ Dawid Kwieciński<br /> ⭐️ Krzysztof Marciniak<br /> ⭐️ Paweł Skałuba<br /> ⭐️ Dyrygent: Rafał Janiak<br /> ⭐️ Prowadzenie koncertu: Patrycja Krzeszowska, Krzysztof Korwin-Piotrowski<br /> ⭐️ Chór i Orkiestra Teatru Wielkiego w Łodzi<br /> <br /> Z pewnością wyjdziecie z Teatru w miłym nastroju, żeby optymistycznie rozpocząć kolejny rok. 😍 | Teatr Wielki w Łodzi | 27087 | https://facebook.com/TeatrWielkiLodz | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56270 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/8/24, 10:06 AM | 1703105778 | 1723129569 | 65 | 329370439870307 | 5 | 4.0040837231424E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997235500476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940575 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406389682_1429192841285714_1612974455706687956_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=owuM6GHraskAX_wRw2_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCoYqONkiF7SpfKQ9PtN6wt3ZwCtw4hmFiDLTnC8P-Uqw&oe=6588B1C4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406817816_1376612556619554_23520596243495452_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B-csUgRJx_oAX9eRkfF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCn3OrNrDluxZ5Vs6uRvv2jfU_0uoocDRkcKA67C-KpxA&oe=6588101C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56295 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970769 | 65 | 292827547084103 | 1 | 2.5631416411864E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107296778955135 | 0 | Joanna's Piano | 120204011031960264 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/joannas.piano | 1701878278 | 1.0729677895514E+14 | Joanna's Piano | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407656534_1317723438939676_7658752546096350361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PYc4pGRpsjoAX8e2P4N&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZ0QGC7uMMt3Lo_6MxYcIIR0S6KXkVS5Nv6m77HnfmMw&oe=6587FCB7 | person_profile | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊'𝚜 𝙿𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚘 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408504616_1076750650434246_5814923977842984825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AuJWcmOletkAX-GEJU_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwCkIB7fHaphjiaZSa3Bct-a7NjDvQubit1MiE3YXOVg&oe=6587957D | 0 | 3 | Joanna's Piano | 212 | https://facebook.com/joannas.piano | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56307 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970769 | 65 | 1353418862200998 | 1 | 1.0956999114361E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881980330476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856039 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406394938_874066721120564_863838568235263767_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jj3zdmA_DNQAX928Bfs&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDRYbaf5TYuRTF67yoqz1msNhoUdd9VFy71aUlPqD7jgw&oe=6588C34B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406885335_1051020549553572_5669140905442541060_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xapmcm4i-R4AX85L8rj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDp8MXAwv9mdZLmo8ghA-2lOQuqdFgrKp1KiJvLAPVVvQ&oe=658908BD | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56314 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970769 | 65 | 1025122405393622 | 1 | 9.098381239852E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458443140691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856021 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406694870_1026280128456608_9204811814726237466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8l1YW2oQetkAX-csulV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAvNOg5kJuuz6jhLaoNveNOZsJZSBFy03Ri1MGFkFcQTQ&oe=65882B0A | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406696261_7080627098639913_5152190301611495544_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pc411aRRylQAX89MrCf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDtZq8f9zKXJrNytbiyZ3IvLRA81aNrTogEHleNv1QNRQ&oe=6588D80F | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56317 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970769 | 65 | 1025086182084433 | 1 | 3.1280028496003E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458412260691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856006 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406694816_883537956407830_5504197743169930989_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PQSaxz3eUCgAX9ybo9b&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-_PfU5SKdzpmjs1I3hm3tgn2ggp9-f_CTUjNUdDFVjg&oe=65884AC4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406735166_211240488696353_2350711015444950828_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q5O4hHr-YlcAX_aytHp&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA7opT_5Dx4IrlL5gqYDZTn1MQa-zMdedAdBFThXsPx_w&oe=6587B3E3 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56352 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970769 | 65 | 1712709872546615 | 1 | 7.3794998853939E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 106316157829745 | 0 | From nature | 120203882469760311 | api.whatsapp.com | Send WhatsApp message | NONE | video | https://api.whatsapp.com/send | 1701731360 | 1.0631615782974E+14 | From nature | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407876055_1102234500774829_8646081323266451958_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YQC7gtRBMIkAX_7o_Ws&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBIZkxRkCs9m6QZKJN1Sph-Xif9y3PIgNHpRKM_QqyZdA&oe=6588431F | person_profile | 0 | From nature | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407628491_662974906043292_383232881349187427_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y2xicvZM4mYAX9Ttgor&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB2SEwfXJ3Jl1Iu9JE28bwESxeCvRGeAJl-6ne6TTy00Q&oe=6588C0DD | 0 | 3 | Our company sells high quality crystal spheres, towers, mineral specimens, etc. Please follow our Facebook page to watch the live show for more discounts during the live! | From nature | 17908 | https://facebook.com/fromnature123 | 0 | WHATSAPP_MESSAGE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56367 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/20/24, 10:55 PM | 1703105779 | 1729482928 | 65 | 332655446180034 | 1 | 6.7380719157006E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104926531949545 | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | 6489018657042 | Send message | NONE | image | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Jestem zainteresowany(a). Czy mog\u0119 prosi\u0107 o wi\u0119cej informacji?","response":""},{"title":"Czy mo\u017cemy porozmawia\u0107 na czacie?","response":""},{"title":"Czy mog\u0119 uzyska\u0107 wi\u0119cej informacji o do\u015bwiadczeniu?","response":""}],"text":"Witaj, {{user_first_name}}! Poinformuj nas, jak mo\u017cemy Ci pom\u00f3c."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1701688301 | 1.0492653194954E+14 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393139215_866339768528386_5631677289789636626_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N28VS86uAfwAX8jvXaj&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBWhITqlsZjPz7kbV3jnRRoPIQY0zXOzRZmjGrqYt2Hbg&oe=6588CB8B | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406389604_1107827767091485_5500463868416375191_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=reIY-uc5__cAX_MWckg&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD5xW9sSe1jRHJVE-F4LNAZUi41yUUDqfrUeMwi3LOx8w&oe=6588DEE4 | 0 | 3 | 🌲Kolędy. Carols. Weihnachtslieder. Pastorałki⭐️<br /> <br /> 8.12 Literaturhaus Wiesbaden 19.00<br /> 14.12 Bistro Zwischen den Polen Bonn 19.30<br /> 15.12 Ostritz Marienthal Kokopol 19.00<br /> Kompetentz Koordinationszentrum Polisch<br /> 16.12 Europejskie Centrum<br /> Pamięć Edukacja Kultura 17.00<br /> Stalag Zgorzelec- Görlitz<br /> 17.12 Polnisches Institut Leipzig 17.00<br /> <br /> Powoli rozpoczynamy trasę z „dobrym słowem”, „płomieniem pokoju”, „dobrą nowiną”, kolędą rzewną, kolędą witalną i pastorałką skoczną. Wybrzmią świąteczne wibracje Marlene Dietrich, Zbigniewa Preisnera, Seweryna Krajewskiego i Agnieszki Osieckiej. Koncerty kończymy czułą wspólnotą i gromadnym śpiewaniem najukochańszych utworów Czasu Oczekiwania. <br /> Będzie dawna stolica świata zza żelaznej kurtyny- Bonn, będzie i miasto Marka Hłaski czyli Wiesbaden. Będzie muzykowanie na granicach państw, aby rozpuszczać granice w sercach i umysłach czyli Görlitz , Zgorzelec i przesłodkie Ostritz na granicy polsko- czesko- niemieckiej z klasztornym opactwem i winnicami, będzie i Lipsk.<br /> <br /> Slowly we start the tour with "good word", "flame of peace", "good news", a rousing carol, a vital carol and a jumping pastoral. Christmas vibes of Marlene Dietrich, Zbigniew Preisner, Seweryn Krajewski and Agnieszka Osiecka will resound. The concerts will conclude with tender fellowship and thunderous singing of the most beloved songs of Waiting Time. | Joanna Stanecka | 1116 | https://facebook.com/joannaratingen | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56376 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970769 | 65 | 178297528641069 | 3 | 7.1898332648333E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202285903870275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667599 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407643402_247045254851234_1405510184421906957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jE6tdyjAeSAAX9AMZCH&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFlM6PfFoFgkLAhgYRwCgeJ0mfj1IGBnDmlSo5jD5f-Q&oe=65878979 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56386 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 1529731931159158 | 3.622513731536E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100985606153947 | 0 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 120202285755680275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667314 | 1.0098560615395E+14 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408109540_1428336381226182_5843504017062703838_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OZ2FAOwrG_0AX9--D-O&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBfzgZCeoZou_a0C_RdRbhIP1-jvre8ixKuvmuTyjpx7w&oe=65885DCA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 393 | https://facebook.com/domesticatedcompanion.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56403 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 236995059406963 | 1 | 2.4817315420334E+15 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200978689040773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701578999 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407191470_1056522345494177_6610296677297110098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wbkBcxo5NVYAX9JSPnj&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBq8zs94ocuJL3E-24slaJTjUXVmyvpXgTdXuCSdR7j5w&oe=6588DB0C | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406595381_1379403696011435_9094638682907054955_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xnI9yl49G3YAX_MWcIE&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBpSHX-Wtm24O1dx7cl5CcuTwustnr50QGuoDe0kOtldg&oe=65881127 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56409 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 883081379758473 | 5.7803483781376E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1212315052125863 | 0 | Bloom Yoga | 120202184175590152 | lucybloomyoga.com | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.lucybloomyoga.com/pages/sisters-of-the-moon | 1701530152 | 1.2123150521259E+15 | Bloom Yoga | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407408643_837410284736203_1851550154123575769_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E9i4Si3TBUkAX9_wRQL&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCxBo3hU4mxvJK8qhPLIA8FLgrHAnroLgTWfhzTOba3AA&oe=65876CC1 | person_profile | 0 | B L O O M by Lucybloom Webb | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407376357_1411900529539306_5851288769850154800_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hvdDpcSYD4cAX-zRdgl&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDrVXHnbRB2Sj7cEbeNVf1xpus6ED0K_r3siSfC2ygczA&oe=6588A3E8 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Bloom Yoga | 574 | https://facebook.com/lucybloomyoga | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56457 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 382049381039079 | 2 | 1.3867805722157E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497692670404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357815 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407265035_1716151202229876_61382779868905933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3IqfwnpV6dkAX-1SQtP&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAymZpx9KMuDwCeOyUiBRMqrowi3t0cHrhmkAQCCGblLA&oe=658790A8 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406243666_247763948073735_1097626027319651152_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Yl0Yhl6IccAX8E6MRM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBL3TqjbZnzyXenrcUbH4pbWdDYeqJ9y7QHP5hhDtaX_g&oe=6588D426 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56479 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 879490503468195 | 2 | 1.0621226348372E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734070226 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256549 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405723184_244581505100081_1755424207230272702_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DcJIY97BRe0AX_F_G8u&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAksdTfwpkQ8xL97ysqj02RImIgrjQExb8L5duTGv_3Wg&oe=65874BDC | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406433553_900414411048183_3707869285371380712_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P8EoKVLybVMAX-ngp4U&_nc_oc=AQlCIygVX5NDVMA6YmQQJk1l4VrPGV-xKlmGf7m9JKCW-tTui8oThPZ2rNGSz3iMfCE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBfOdbcDZYRjTM7mbW3RfQetb1Sa25AnwoZ50zPJZTVag&oe=65879F59 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56508 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 1805163423276160 | 1 | 6.6362238929275E+14 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201240371970123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701259552 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406696326_877063437487869_2054719618977234961_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-FuM9DYkiiAAX8MxYZm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAiR_wjQVeiLcQmQc5Cv5wSN47-RacHfPZNQLUqdm0dzA&oe=65877AE6 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406652069_676660320933204_5655435774568001342_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DYZfQiy2Mc8AX_y5rpI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMatqHbEskXEtM812-pBFhr5Su_SnBMXl1aVKHRyEU6g&oe=6588B8C3 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56521 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 335244072588959 | 1 | 6.0232813530437E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100802715811938 | 0 | Best APP to release stress | 120201140437470070 | dynamic.bestnovelapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Leia online！！ | https://dynamic.bestnovelapp.com/noah-ssg/wn/202309192/27884910600562805+1+3+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1701246869 | 1.0080271581194E+14 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406230860_307033272251105_8653269983656200451_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vnNmJQXEiUQAX-8gtDf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBAbbmq2za-eS0AI7u23YABZFYxV108BJN3DtvDbuqrGg&oe=6589405A | person_profile | 0 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406231319_687218016723058_5804827782489128413_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=198TRtFHgFoAX9q_6HA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxg1CUA3k2PPjCyHEelb3cZSWaewY8SBlWxZO-So6a8Q&oe=65882958 | 0 | 3 | "Marido, eu não quero mais, me sinto péssima..." "Amor, seja boazinha, termine de tomar esse remédio."<br /> O homem bonito abraça a mulher em seus braços, acariciando-a delicadamente enquanto a alimenta com o remédio.<br /> Joanna Lawrence se depara com Ashton Heath, o herdeiro mais estimado de toda a cidade de Closia, e acaba passando a noite com ele. Depois que ele oferece benefícios em troca de seu casamento, a recém nomeada Sra. Heath de repente tem o poder de ter tudo o que sempre desejou.<br /> "Marido, eu dei um tapa na Rainha do Cinema Faye hoje, eu exagerei?"<br /> "Amor, sua mão está doendo? Deixe-me massageá-la para você."<br /> "Marido, eu estourei o limite do seu cartão de crédito, você está bravo?"<br /> "Amor, você está feliz com suas compras? Avise-me quando precisar de mais."<br /> "Marido, estou cansada hoje, não quero me mexer..."<br /> <br /> Clique para ler mais <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Best APP to release stress | 4784 | https://facebook.com/100079851744054 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56548 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 672167171668439 | 1 | 1.6093520531364E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210418780123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701172089 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405809645_1067112071268569_4455069256460755104_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hwM7YuYD3IcAX8kWlVD&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAs5z2dq8IPSpZ075iojpcqKs8r7Brz5fBZIL3lPWpZiQ&oe=658793EC | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405898569_317263814487223_8475709472780321007_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZQ70Q4Tx8OwAX8SABec&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAr9MQEpY9SQQJwKuFADrdIyR4KZWdFdWR4PFPQ8iuEqw&oe=65881689 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56551 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 12:33 PM | 1703105781 | 1747330417 | 65 | 1271649616797304 | 1 | 3.1111896180652E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210412510123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701171822 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404744090_1320479941989115_9010157741518293746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n0vH-clY01EAX-Khsdd&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfARa_IWVBH0ocSedfWMSribRTxB1hQVAtrtLzXl17CPdA&oe=6588FA51 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404679384_2346772642181450_8579970152742610141_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bMtdt8ErvUoAX-Eimv5&_nc_oc=AQkSOSbkHcLntQ0Kn6PtKO-5XqxRJ1DZqYIfEo6Jht9Q71aAnjvjxaZiHu0_yRErbtY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAUiMY8gGWe2YV88KaGAsO5_5yUW9YCR0CpbnyRb1TXVA&oe=658794FB | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56556 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 311549648422684 | 1 | 1.0491882996572E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685810090123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053393 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402526908_338920245395074_7538130888944426979_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P3MzZsnsU9kAX_pd37o&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC7Ej7Fuk0JrsMLqv4orAW8faHAVLEjBBpdkAQxEGKDYg&oe=65880958 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400652275_3273973439568983_7373635686749370251_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R8qrGnx56noAX__BFNq&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxqL8JCbIf11ZhU4Zuk79tYn_oZ-poixrkwobmijfbSQ&oe=658827EA | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56569 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/27/24, 4:29 AM | 1703105782 | 1724750990 | 65 | 889607809440160 | 1 | 1.0474234230684E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300670880596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151646 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406261692_724976142856137_6542226751633806603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CQmsYmPmHE4AX-n-GVe&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDx_Fuv_PovufAVhtbYEWyw9AiK1DOM3AZgrLNYANlvHA&oe=6587E651 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406309107_3595311444061001_5968297759956515285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=skOub_a7ZmUAX-lJ59R&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDdAQg-uVC82kcu-fm85KQ9QV9b9xPVRHTPLn2QNrcrA&oe=65882F3D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56581 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970771 | 65 | 698167699045537 | 2 | 9.5288120640458E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 119816401108725 | 0 | Complete Day Magazine | 120200984181250257 | falafelandcaviar.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Los productores intentaron ocultar esto al público durante mucho tiempo, pero ahora, Joanna no solo rompió el silencio sobre su esposo, sino que también supimos lo que sucedió detrás de escena que terminó el programa. | Fixer Upper de HGTV es uno de los reality shows inmobiliarios más populares de todos los tiempos. Chip y Joanna Gaines se han vuelto súper famosos gracias a sus papeles en la presentación del programa súper popular y a las celebridades por derecho propio. Pero cuando su matrimonio comenzó a des... | https://falafelandcaviar.com/desarrollarse-verdad-j5-ext/ | 1701108975 | 1.1981640110872E+14 | Complete Day Magazine | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406277166_895683788612490_5782394380142598615_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1gi2neQ5aKoAX_ASg8y&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCmd-f2Kk4UUADO6coDqkeBVg8OUWuLpjE_D45yC03Ajw&oe=65885697 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fixer Upper's Dark Downers: Los secretos ocultos detrás del exitoso programa de televisión. | Complete Day Magazine | 45 | https://facebook.com/100092596243928 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56592 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970771 | 65 | 375079994889159 | 1 | 7.4117029117242E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715941230115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140277 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405515642_362599846248943_3515449747963034593_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7bxDULPC0hQAX9R0gU8&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCcj3GeSndxBBNM7YxB6DP3Ms67tkrxQv6nO5JX6J3jQw&oe=65893DF7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406222902_1026715798446962_4351939289071469387_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Koe3a8Jf7lwAX8cjuhR&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDvKlMccS0QDHA-lAzMsAXFOQuotZrOBP-4dojIeI9sEw&oe=6587D8B9 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56608 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 1337229090256723 | 1 | 1.052423562672E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715933890115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140252 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405794617_1031419641407422_6449381710491225332_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fJVeGPg3K8cAX_iiQ5q&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBRI-QFqMYxf_x1MplUmKpF40xE-W5f4sLoA6KgYbzFTg&oe=658941B0 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403717571_336574448987925_2419818652990746410_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uu0nHvu6zsMAX-6MoOn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDSZJH4ABbV725G980oL8UFu7YtWZ0Gb94JHmFFhDYTow&oe=658906A8 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56625 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 217146308080642 | 1 | 8.8431391667362E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690727690115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056134 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405909398_1434300930451376_470163566217467039_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jtImin0_RQgAX-3Rmdb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAv2oHwoQxvsIwDf5JpKtWswcHRMngVg9df6mGOGhMrqA&oe=65881FB7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405928579_169361449592676_2886257822081951378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K-k_SOaAwiEAX-OX8pZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGsGUPkAj4M-GmYU8T0OpbQEOjpVKALocaawPkOP8lMw&oe=65879634 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56630 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 369573715578076 | 4 | 1.3093793964447E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690732700115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055917 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405921842_896502475180088_7197058286701896349_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NK4rWTuE67IAX_z0lj8&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD65hhZQOVf4eHTuOHa86Zphp4j1-wUwKUh9cfcaxLtBw&oe=65883E0A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405967741_1997564123957856_8211740995595636842_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AgMiBwWd9LcAX9i9bsd&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD7ypp91vuki7evbtEePvsSMFVsOKFl5ivzSpefJGC8ew&oe=6588919D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56637 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 375199541564328 | 1 | 3.6358165605982E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690720100115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055876 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405876451_581778200746971_9097629088212944225_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zpItZbN_mLEAX-qRLB6&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCeOQ3HBNw6sbRDwpYURzmCc1iPZ1HBC7Cbhq8RenzRCQ&oe=65885576 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405838910_1004000557353860_834521670710162304_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ix-4qCHNFdUAX_xDEr9&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-H1zjnNkCgv6fb2V31p9JunGMi3uOFZhrCMoYhlS_FA&oe=65879B76 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56647 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 772916184660309 | 1 | 1.480992742469E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281110100596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068371 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405669853_390496909974124_5860306620503949097_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fTC_PBmonREAX_q101N&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiBbqnrt-XqLLrd2cci05wkaxrCsn108bGAffakhUfdA&oe=6587B107 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405687051_1060990688654099_4586940231195615910_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gelbzds1SuQAX-WveID&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC4o2e7lFjYFQDWzeDrrrmjEq5WcCX5A3EWyYSuFyO7vg&oe=65875674 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56683 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 1044901750033731 | 3.764241743862E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145383430740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Speaks Out to the World Breaking Her Silence. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806341 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403105591_1036907530936522_8906190975553665040_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rFLd0ebP1wcAX8sUwzO&_nc_oc=AQlCkFNowqh-EBrNRD6MBkZmyDTg03Qc303lB63-0aQYpCzoXavTF6aW0d4HWW_HXX0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBu06G6lkK9fj8AO5GRfpM3NbWJ02O79c1JM1X4x_zjeQ&oe=6588319D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers Hid This for Years, Now Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband and Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Show Ending. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56691 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 2:19 PM | 1703105783 | 1743016783 | 65 | 286333213828536 | 2.4725411142976E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495769223556 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700488723 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403604594_706496401407873_3386959245189523628_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fd7TmYzDhhIAX8lHb83&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCENZhMHslzUAx448VvRDOxCTmpo6tjWuDSf5oX2sAQPw&oe=6587BF9B | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403603740_3617283778488076_2538065533749317892_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oQTvuzwoEdEAX_j-1ob&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDAW-VZn6m_jQAYEhPmtlsJq2gStf9an_NCwc3GhqNyYQ&oe=65889989 | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56705 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 1333011304745815 | 3 | 1.0024689641623E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674071770115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969837 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405767888_316021314551929_3035441415060174943_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IJzQYgI6OX8AX837HUW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDqRVBM27o6JNsbsmOKDHzT-COSr6-AvBtfWFNxNepHFw&oe=6587B450 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405769682_852885019922315_2654440559988400859_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h4VK8Pg6_aoAX8A3NiM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBs0ZJum3Ze5-kae-AGeetttogp7L247dRgBepJi-n9Sw&oe=65877685 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56729 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 324814673641036 | 1 | 1.3052021203595E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632250790115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796770 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405483234_313088591540451_6283009658565711341_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CI3Pr3RA3YkAX86Q65A&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCNt3f0MK6zbCyDUSYTBWRaqSFb0hVkjUcVI17LyWwUhw&oe=6588842C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405502636_935728367898293_4744660257042419428_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y7qdyXqpIuoAX91IGhw&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCwr8UB8yYXQAcnIS8aU1c5xIGwip5BvkJ2uH8In9hp-A&oe=65892CB2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56737 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 885613442714624 | 1 | 6.5754006322282E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632211510115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796949 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405535819_2130114007334460_1958262922095217011_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pca2i_5VmWgAX97fnAt&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAWMmBJEayJmOGkvpHJuJ8VZbI8deC6k6PvWgadoXci3A&oe=65885B88 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405538806_1835110026891633_5111147563273796191_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YXzcebkRnrkAX8Cf4q6&_nc_oc=AQkJj5TIQ93DXN4jf5-sC8VFPrlrCAOv08CQJKdQDsEsg5OTy1l7WuXI-L1o6kY6iVx5U0LaUfqtcquqPyFtG8SE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBfr0yjwN3oRFF-1AUKkmX-ZW26EX6Ge19ep8odY798yw&oe=65890EBA | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56740 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 1002960107478439 | 1 | 9.1477925953811E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632221910115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796960 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403706042_1696649900868368_8647809954420587578_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oFtxjE07Gf4AX8qsIxM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCh-FAaGkqGDYYk8_5j9gb6cjXns6v69SbkHil8m92e-g&oe=65894125 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404924174_1395886697947294_3990456986382679429_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kNUwAUTH2GAAX9vSBw6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBE45ohHC2BC2yGgRBfdd2wZuFocf8ay-XOF6UBGpyxuQ&oe=65874AC2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56767 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 674449414499690 | 1 | 1.3977142111545E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343746920404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843618 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403629604_324366210386684_288505643675111969_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rCBgteFAUIEAX--QDFg&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxvsYjAqVJ3KfHVR8CcjIMYwfRv6tDa6C5PABQOrC3Mg&oe=65876940 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403630989_1239574390778413_6908584326344237471_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJsMIIN_Gf4AX_FijNF&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDFIqhNLICYPqodY4kKDQZnEhqg3DuaxQN2aKwIOd8DKQ&oe=6589395A | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56803 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 721727646095757 | 3 | 1.0024689641623E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632038660115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796618 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405023908_346298024670572_3808712735196893715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kYHId8V_GdoAX_O5jIu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCRBFvYqBVNbw4HE4Z0ytfFi7bYenEH7pFN0s60HNUpOg&oe=658784B2 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405213402_1293258458056935_3914115158939821955_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bsQ-JQwEejQAX9E1Ztn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBR08FBIRMPmgeDW99LfK7pWLfRtNbrVkt2wU1YSIgyMg&oe=65878D78 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56806 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 886108749336134 | 1 | 1.0768760604078E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632013890115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796599 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403754450_291822623206034_3961078416638268245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4kEMXolsqH8AX-oE4LN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDjDr6gKMA1aXJPWVmZzQEkASU9UI_j9LzvAudkW7P7-A&oe=6588D74F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405509418_365595995969832_5338630860648448796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RGdBplKlBQkAX9WEUNW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5OZ1SSeIS_uIPCVjp1Jw0gawL2w7N6uc5YoVhRsSG6g&oe=6587933F | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56820 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 715761873516528 | 1 | 1.4307900908045E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120202103659040704 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700772132 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404327266_347791367834623_5373573530947231194_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5D1osoL56N4AX_svAJ0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJEtl3ARQ6du_uMrcbkoGQ7TtDgF6fVT2wut3TblgPsA&oe=658839A1 | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403983455_336937049036503_8832949860944116559_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NA4W0wHZiAAX9CdqOA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCfHSjM7iWXV_Tg2Hq3hWlnwHrKgkIV_O42QdwTTYi9OQ&oe=6588CEB8 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56831 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970773 | 65 | 252743177489179 | 2 | 3.5993855403385E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611856520115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722743 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405280425_2273396286192840_5985616415744208406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HB_hBG2Y0r4AX86zq9v&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-RH4vy-UphTBbgbd9HQZPGLMxsdswcTCMEbWtp4P_0Q&oe=6589084F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404947816_3597831400538785_6407692614039875156_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WK9uJjoO7-MAX8-WYqZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCb6DtOvevXjOh3n1zciWxKlU8w6Ukg6nfGjiSHpgHZug&oe=6587D252 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56837 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970773 | 65 | 355203753708597 | 2 | 3.5370658048436E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611857780115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722752 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403605071_1555174525259987_690439688826745133_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9u5-KQBLLpQAX8sdkAo&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDCjVLyePdufr1916w15MYY8bwMuTPk-KT7tcSvkEZNJQ&oe=6587E96F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403617123_1060173811800388_6944458493402210530_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L4SgvfcIkRIAX9ORu8i&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCs7Q2D8RW6tGigPGCv8XSAV9gvbbPClW_weP4NOzzoPw&oe=65882B60 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56839 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970773 | 65 | 600165972186073 | 2 | 3.2593441350221E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611860460115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722788 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404154291_2048835892152985_4740149835412102812_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xLRowL-CkGwAX-U_xD4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDNZ3yxzBFxXXDlVYpQMAGAE4klMFNDIyYnB5VpjHbwCw&oe=65887752 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404838062_875694943998333_1946770185864598412_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rMy4A3wvs_0AX919AlB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAlTkzj34VUSeVNQaIk7INiR1OXYPpsiRhSs_uCGU832A&oe=65882F1D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56861 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970773 | 65 | 1492941871560310 | 1 | 2.9469844686573E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207901940403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724559 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404593703_1024057368897565_2868077685423265758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uaBsvicbItkAX9-_x4W&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzJcxdn-K2lOf0AFLwalbsLK6kTnLy06F0NWgevqPplw&oe=6587720E | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404868347_878723200194244_4118334881443007649_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GosZcmf_C20AX_nyLpT&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAIjxe-ZLEwyQ7A8cOkZH0dVce8qiQMqN_AnTqWdjt4IQ&oe=6587DD1C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56857 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/22/24, 2:05 AM | 1703105785 | 1724310325 | 65 | 1117554302546881 | 1 | 1.023097292141E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611859530115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722964 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405017689_311153695071774_4558684013250948045_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fF-uEG8M0b0AX8e4oT0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEd4kI9VpkvpXFTUy7MVLbd_TF4I6HrXSab0paShff6w&oe=65885B38 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402663213_327088806696623_8533469152566214213_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4eV6epx-r3QAX9aLdeu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC34bJLXHWSB1XDVJGoapVsR5V0PIEG5-a7MbaxU9X6Gg&oe=658937A2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56918 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970773 | 65 | 683402680552275 | 6.8907228669931E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721075470167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678939 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDpANmVtKC4AX8h6Tp8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6SoWFW329POs3qMQcQ18vFx-EGMLmInqXadmv3Wu-Ig&oe=6587A16B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56952 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970774 | 65 | 889642729352898 | 5 | 8.9788543133228E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721115290167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679000 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404549215_1715815735586018_265815704509471861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AcKROjmBac0AX_K8zao&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAVY5B9BlPV7m16IvkUV6ZKJ8nN9q1RU085kU_z8vdj6w&oe=6588F442 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56750 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970774 | 65 | 3474364919497216 | 1 | 3.3792583256482E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632059900115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796841 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404343097_1056794928803918_1255353857290451702_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Bs91Gu_8pKsAX9cGdHg&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBxQMtKSBHwAKQ3v4KQh0KVdceRHi2VdykJAOAQuGnGw&oe=65883275 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404303733_3689407471384213_8270637915054395987_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hra-a026XGsAX_2ivwb&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAn49bk8XKllxiWUB1MvJJb5Z9cSauzVLgnv-FzD2PZkA&oe=65889E79 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56496 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970774 | 65 | 721807276154364 | 1 | 7.4024961128041E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1181854881965784 | 0 | Royal Delicacy | 120203290687410409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1701290536 | 1.1818548819658E+15 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406554514_1466114600648562_5912098851643122086_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6acEliCah_8AX_XyN_S&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDNW2XbR_XgmgDXn6524ac2lqTFnkUdCkWsTCu01CCqnw&oe=6587E55B | person_profile | 0 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406552227_845795900897145_3058027573532019328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g6yp0wXB8JIAX_I0alX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLaEVKdeCPVQOpP5LZ8ocZhFboiChb3INAzM9dccIN6g&oe=6588E978 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Royal Delicacy | 85407 | https://facebook.com/RoyalDelicacyFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56692 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970774 | 65 | 1077187030120783 | 1 | 2.32849716492E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103114198920092 | 0 | luva_architecture | 120201038000830606 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/luva_architecture | 1701002456 | 1.0311419892009E+14 | luva_architecture | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405527476_1340803430135733_5369303866736606130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9QbNeUhWmLYAX9DomOv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCOWKf0Rq2aE284kKq8El-kKOUrTHf66F60edi3kbz-aQ&oe=658878C6 | person_profile | 0 | LUVA art&trendsetter | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405964136_2764408560389722_768814049211918538_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1_2GvO5czHgAX-ARK7B&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDpz_ZO4GLnzxVOe_Z4mn6oKcXdPgTlppfLWe_cuKUBxw&oe=65893E8A | 0 | 3 | In the lobby and staircase of the office building, we decided to use cobalt elevators, and the entire elevator shaft was covered with burnt wood @wood_of_fire. The elegance of burnt boards is intertwined with a strong accent of ultramarine, which appears in the interiors as a focal point. How do you like the cobalt elevator :))? <br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> W realizacji lobby i klatki schodowej biurowca zdecydowaliśmy się na kobaltowe windy, zaś cały szyb windowy obłożyłyśmy palonym drewnem @wood_of_fire. Elegancja palonych desek przeplata się z mocnym akcentem ultramaryny, który pojawia się we wnętrzach jako focal point. A Wam jak podoba się kobaltowa winda :))?<br /> <br /> Fot. @joanna_majewska_photo <br /> <br /> ##interior #luvadesign #projekty #lodz #artwork #home #style #design #furniture #lifestyle #cobalt #winda #palonedrewno #kobaltowyakcent #nowarealizacja | luva_architecture | 49 | https://facebook.com/100076911726714 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55741 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 7:07 PM | 1703105772 | 1747354061 | 65 | 384361913970004 | 3 | 3.085052154829E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410754282_352231440839723_2853545386772029049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R7YXYZEpdAMAX_dOLnT&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDUCOurSmJye2_duHNWncjgHyBMUn8XqMOrHMcQyK8dbw&oe=65879CC1 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56697 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970774 | 65 | 830789782389504 | 3 | 1.320222321959E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674069360115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969831 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405772706_1987003181670374_2928251633090454598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4zP9HJNhO7AAX_LLVEs&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCy2WQRy7sJstL1JbE3-mRJJjkTGsNBhgDTeN6Gd7zQ5A&oe=658879D5 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405767046_1397414044528411_3781497808730939889_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H3TrAszGcH8AX9c_jOR&_nc_oc=AQlBnOHt987sN-weHdz-bRSqWvNmoA1LuASBBk-asDEXsehnLIsZb9Os5DSSZYQHvu0&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9i-_zR9726GunZO0_2WNixqg0lNAffEi4jegqrKV-zA&oe=6588EC85 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56694 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970774 | 65 | 328020539981130 | 2 | 6.6765789524521E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674073760115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969863 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405764123_391042083249506_4356062052729687293_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f0Z7FvDSnb4AX9txtDk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOH4NDwLELtHRIwuMoiLjUT658zhZWDZ2aSxYBeGL6cg&oe=6588D57E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406013548_1427447061319061_7652825964145495168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9jJB89rwjokAX89q79R&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB-wNXiB_Kogj8GIxlyHnXccXwVa51ii1WuKfom00tb0A&oe=65892378 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56243 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970774 | 65 | 2564512583706837 | 1 | 9.8864357838402E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12013348247 | 0 | Country Living Magazine | 120202295239810684 | countryliving.com | No button | NONE | image | These Joanna Gaines-Approved Finds Are on Our Amazon Wishlist | https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g40177047/joanna-gaines-amazon-prime-day-2022/?utm_source=facebook_arb&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=arb_fb_clv_d_i_comm_k1_g40177047 | 1701963934 | 12013348247 | Country Living Magazine | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408912427_734575158069743_2348624942991150047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rJnT_KzoDcwAX9jALh-&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBqDJDt86_RvpokOKAlIfd1pqOHQKGvnc8A3U35KfZKqg&oe=6587FF0C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Farmhouse style on a budget right this way. | Country Living Magazine | 5146468 | https://facebook.com/CountryLiving | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56461 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970774 | 65 | 1796368784136649 | 2 | 2.5285951779224E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497692590404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357849 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406376360_1030441618208645_8031832755248174969_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nAzRCZK81g0AX9sXI6O&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD_f9PhH6tD8NFsfkq6_KoGnDKAirAWd6dsdqeyeX7f5w&oe=65879053 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406334487_1046704479907520_8803389083567292619_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0n2cIWAxOz0AX9BHV4u&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPYmlQz4tie-h-MgDXp77Lf9hlbiNoBPiFMRSnzVzvQQ&oe=6587A1C1 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55329 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970774 | 65 | 784013497075549 | 1 | 1.29990743071E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109127244300517 | 0 | Joanna M Wellness | 120203037226850657 | pages.joannamwellness.co | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://pages.joannamwellness.co/opt-in | 1702976098 | 1.0912724430052E+14 | Joanna M Wellness | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411240859_734250471564912_2192241043700068977_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RgnvDgpbfZEAX8jD94F&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5XcTJdLLEfPmleDRLOJra4W2mjyI7ho2dtcpUYIk-qQ&oe=65884D4E | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Michaelides | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411283875_1386132725318532_7721156983208902538_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rG6MSURIJ_cAX-CQRjy&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBE_1KkLV0VidQ9rAlNm5yY3npBaoB8oJAvoQj9m2l6Fw&oe=658934AF | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna M Wellness | 255 | https://facebook.com/joannamwellness | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55560 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970775 | 65 | 1524693491613363 | 8.9287584543981E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011752230506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636958 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411171747_314170734909172_8779442420551454041_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WB_pbMBaUXwAX8nKSCn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBxx7ZbySHe8I1ecUutQAoCmeMPVHOm4X2IYb5jroSSNA&oe=6587B83B | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411157711_1451773532065017_7715843290818518265_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P3PNbRDIszYAX9vO9TE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBLIQ91jPIQufnimzjC7Rrdulei01-0Wo3i7am9MDdIOA&oe=6588D39D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55573 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970775 | 65 | 1857517101331613 | 8.9130955916893E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011738260506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636900 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411255847_292176560451115_3267398177185995626_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kAjbo2JAFj0AX8mWgaf&_nc_oc=AQkVVMyAxP-7TWZ71UPd2op35gkorhlBPIBI2kn2K_GzNxG2pinzVaSI1Jrd6ZzwIVE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAV4MFJEj5HNvgkKfzxlLlaWX_hQ-U7OAmEVkbAagEooA&oe=65886E5C | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411374853_352169237543782_5237159096524607945_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3yC42ZGLS9EAX_kvMz_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSz79IsjxjCnvMh6kWifS1Pp3NaA9ZcTLgFZmJ8nJUYQ&oe=6588CA74 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56115 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970775 | 65 | 318617141057905 | 2 | 6.8324127058314E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 988423477976346 | 0 | Amelia Smith | 120201929961850606 | glamgirlscosmetics.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's Giveaway - Upgrade Your Kitchen! | Chip & Joanna's Giveaway - Upgrade Your Kitchen! | https://glamgirlscosmetics.com/cooking/?kw=cv04 | 1702156333 | 9.8842347797635E+14 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409895105_733463385347124_436380222227432255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lZr1TJziOLQAX-jJKdc&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAgCfZ-vAH09tg7kpfYBffKJ32oJkcOr9X6sz9cnvHL9Q&oe=6587CC83 | person_profile | 0 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409901506_3657287567882766_181358557584934331_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eFQwU1uV9_wAX8b-QRv&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDogXGm5pW18nY9fEacvWa3un8ZoQuxm4ta-rsk_W_23g&oe=6588496B | 0 | 3 | If you're seeing this ad then the giveaway is still going on :) | Amelia Smith | 1257 | https://facebook.com/ameliasmithmakeup | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55556 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970775 | 65 | 1081394426547555 | 1.2402546101146E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751330506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636953 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409781642_345985614691348_6392871215556371807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2RF0b8ZyY7sAX_hvTKS&_nc_oc=AQlI6R71d784q5y_UptqSj8cd9FkLqjavfb03DfFBUPMdmrQ_EKUYFNGV7g2PTWVixc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAquXyuNnK_Ymal1_hC657Px_uvJyE1hu_5xW1x0DRvaw&oe=6587B529 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410213381_2252608621595632_8397726778152540258_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DiV3notghykAX8w31mK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlq-QBkRHz4_EJhQxPh0rxLcgKv3ALImBgzex4GhCwJA&oe=65892B47 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55760 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 8:28 AM | 1703105773 | 1744378113 | 65 | 365451796162252 | 4 | 7.3704260847814E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548094209 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409937359_1281123765901139_4086146903982754325_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u6gt9khy_RUAX9amL4V&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqqqX1XMWRPy3hZlhbRlhDoWQ1dyPT_VXAOey8Z2uoGg&oe=65879719 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409969696_1343852239851927_4510082842182849744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MYcjmdRRNJEAX8qE-bf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvka5k6Yq0nuasGwksymM01fL02WP-l-j6SJSIdTcVag&oe=6588805F | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55568 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970775 | 65 | 853991553090014 | 2 | 1.3934563812892E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751270506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636971 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410165235_1195645181394242_4017851237256315234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gm4xUkN3TG8AX_ss5bu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5aZ6GgvrYrdhAS-VMGxQ3I7TZZ1aXFpSurQzELWUzoA&oe=658880E4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410154159_1295802111085287_2410655888943011415_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FWSCodviCOMAX9BjXs2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDamzequKbZJUrJZFXMqOqSMotTSycBiOWv23mHNh8IhA&oe=658879A8 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55566 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970775 | 65 | 374019618514691 | 1 | 8.3428950178119E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011752260506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636971 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410685529_696414825923032_7737946702717234672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B1eCXYRyuSEAX9a-F2R&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAD2-xZvVROtv1DwIR6gigx9DuJM0Gumtwp0_lwqLdNKA&oe=6588BDA3 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410661307_1212076050196614_6937698823545521118_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BDriCRkr4l8AX-P0UQh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBH8V2qGFof1LSi8WNzB9ouv-TaDI0Y4_vm9KaTfJlioA&oe=658838D8 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56632 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970776 | 65 | 371580541978730 | 4 | 1.3711089701987E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690726890115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055912 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406199123_321400957346381_1914944500292414093_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gmb8KB2XNGYAX-TOrke&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD3TRx7f6tJYVEHSIOXMpuYRtTCEXpH0OcKqoZuJWR02A&oe=658763B6 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406199273_328748639789811_2138078232723886436_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h6MoYa8FJpQAX-uB-kI&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2Qtd1hMmmgcB7VOx9VVI8d6y4Otm7c2eRu_Zcx70XIg&oe=65883439 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56535 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970776 | 65 | 924759732317746 | 2 | 1.0838421263939E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 135302253194628 | 0 | KILZ | 120201317484400781 | WWW.KILZ.COM/MAGNOLIA | Learn more | NONE | carousel | KILZ | https://www.kilz.com/blog/mini-reni-a-timeless-renovation/ | 1700590858 | 1.3530225319463E+14 | KILZ | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404263940_3662256170673266_8312665421320569457_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ba7hhdNdmRgAX-dH3hG&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnd5T35A5pEsNAvCR1NENC70h4aYUlSm-zbdnamycbAg&oe=6588FA26 | person_profile | 0 | KILZ® | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402996603_1692486431241914_9215300876484642486_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RNEhQezttisAX-WCoA7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDrtSjJ0Yrr_zrw0GxEM7rK3zS-jNQSjXcbQVNy2acUTw&oe=6588AD10 | 0 | 3 | By embracing the space, Joanna made this living room modern and unique, while keeping the entire renovation under budget. | KILZ | 76515 | https://facebook.com/KILZBrand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56550 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970776 | 65 | 1264285984252598 | 1 | 8.3728974148114E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210414290123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701171825 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406401670_6796601527114419_6525129402137693634_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=otraE2U4W2MAX94RSpL&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDyM29Oj03orUQibAiAPN2wjDr_CPglINnqaFwzVesgUw&oe=65890D4C | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405713599_352674360642592_4581674969548163814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=82KoJIdXRDgAX--8ST7&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCP8_ReXeUTclrXIK6D3zv0oo24edlAr3uVZkcbYe40wA&oe=65883BD8 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56520 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970776 | 65 | 680574507497766 | 1 | 6.765180279486E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2174655312793851 | 0 | Cullen Jewellery | 120201573430360093 | cullenjewellery.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Cullen Jewellery | https://cullenjewellery.com/engagement-rings/ring-francesca/metal-type:18k-yellow-gold | 1701248387 | 2.1746553127939E+15 | Cullen Jewellery | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406206169_1012229966523540_7186023975895443721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BvIW_DmpoUIAX9MM8P_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDgbs5VQvaO4fZYwQ0Ej_e8zAeKVSnqc1kqYVZ1A4sdvg&oe=65885166 | person_profile | 0 | Cullen Jewellery | Custom Engagement Rings | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406206088_873789000917776_3605489737092834571_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pnrE1BRsGqIAX8ekEPz&_nc_oc=AQnmIIIx7dzfoqZYE48DReBF8pzHS70M2lwWBNMJgcPI1s2sZup6n-s4DMdDm33I7WycjrhhYiSA9-7-GPlvClL_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDziveaLQdXczjbJMCGTe5MIr7MKGPK94ZkTQfX9Y0Uww&oe=65881B90 | 0 | 3 | Francesca - a stunning Pear & Oval Toi et Moi paired with: <br /> <br /> 💖 Joanna Pave Band<br /> 🧡 Arizona Hammer Set Band<br /> 💛 Felicity Baguette Band<br /> 💚 Chiara Accent Band<br /> 💙 Lana Accent Band<br /> 💜 Betty Oval Bezel Band<br /> <br /> <br /> Ring Details:<br /> April Pear & Oval Toi et Moi <br /> Lab Grown Diamond<br /> Pear: 1.13cts<br /> Oval: 1.32cts | Cullen Jewellery | 6572 | https://facebook.com/cullenjewellery | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56869 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970776 | 65 | 662330822693093 | 1 | 8.705296445664E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111590884348619 | 0 | Scoolinary | 120203950092260679 | scoolinary.com/christmas-desserts | Watch more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.scoolinary.com/courses/christmas-desserts | 1700679950 | 1.1159088434862E+14 | Scoolinary | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405048753_292152330462355_640483908611715032_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-uoFd8jySgAAX_sLqur&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBOXIcVeBXXaE37LMKZ8v5RFBWPykkWYzY9_XtV06HqhA&oe=65891E6F | person_profile | 0 | scoolinary_en | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402663822_1155743302499968_8650124239449016395_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lR5InGjNkIgAX_ki2SW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCTeuLtgdl4_d6EPwTRy7hjlbFpRJXH4zJKnSBCivJSNw&oe=6587D9FB | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Scoolinary | 180515 | https://facebook.com/ScoolinaryEN | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56437 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970776 | 65 | 381470574401212 | 1 | 2.7738114463007E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114384308289241 | 0 | CMG Herald US | 23862269988230046 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701406995 | 1.1438430828924E+14 | CMG Herald US | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406114020_1528522397949883_6916054953711222121_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UX7PJRIJXhUAX_l56tD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBOGNyfzox4vzXut3SLkL5fzwp9YtnMfSt4J92pkvdAbA&oe=6587F259 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Herald US | 99 | https://facebook.com/cmg.heraldweekly.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56507 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970776 | 65 | 851486156761242 | 1 | 2.6969979235978E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201240371920123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701259509 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406421544_1542359533252364_2091802618448943276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VkL2pGN9GLcAX9kpwr4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBELAmtx2OYyJe9UTBx6WyyBT_z2CdjaWNohnWGm5d5JA&oe=658891D0 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406413117_276531591594813_2023684415954480430_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2dIICVvUwoUAX986iKt&_nc_oc=AQlYs_91-lrL6rSoE6rXrUqUje2uyIvtq6TFJtOza3ftx0ozkU3iYDL8gbzJRr4ZepQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAVW76Yl6FuZoLRtKzdCJTtNoUZ21K5sq6xc3I1ECy-Og&oe=65879B36 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55863 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970776 | 65 | 859413205882385 | 1 | 3.7699043471974E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434519840465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447849 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409851173_1092004291963987_221424865823195262_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fcYN0pVdZxoAX8RfvTk&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2T2POcQdgaPbFTBlvaNCEUYDCooFiZjq8WX8Jyy9vug&oe=658843E3 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409551340_1803909581020352_8062605218618017863_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BSBRwY8iKL8AX8ETnIx&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDA2Fai-Ghg3Irh5grDWgxoDjUps8eptTPrmWZGzCncpQ&oe=65878F6D | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55727 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970776 | 65 | 381033321251581 | 1 | 8.6930000134508E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104503492084237 | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | 6522175079254 | healthandhappinesshubb.com | Learn more | NONE | video | BIG Holiday Cooking Gift to Their Supporters | https://healthandhappinesshubb.com/ | 1702519942 | 1.0450349208424E+14 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411134297_3525063371090293_4841115591897006690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ms8adtOKx38AX-tf5EW&_nc_oc=AQkFZlCYbzy5uHte4eQfD1xBwNYIUOzl8j-Q3XapdW7jS5o5RqLHr6XWFAgZgOOHhPA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfALRCpSoiGFD3ucGSgYAnDFg4iIvIJOG9wn3YQEY1ziDA&oe=65893155 | person_profile | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411221826_722974756554912_5272892789188742415_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cbbDPGa3qAoAX8_BE3t&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDLcKXQMZSLRIctE0iHOruvcvP3-mEZM1ye5kt6-CXlQ&oe=6588D8C0 | 0 | 3 | Thank you so much for all the love! I have enjoyed seeing and meeting so many new faces. What better way too show my gratitude for all the love and support, then gifting one of you a LeCreuset Cookware Set! 🎁 | Health and Happiness Hub | 79 | https://facebook.com/61551512137589 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55711 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970776 | 65 | 663772695950901 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108943524798123 | 0 | Family & Pets | 120203606882060707 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702473314 | 1.0894352479812E+14 | Family & Pets | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409798083_370508155367896_1282192082233539870_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i1RN4jfKhQMAX98TxDz&_nc_oc=AQlqt2IfvU9-4aj8xmEN7iKSCXbwps6xa22TI_q939WXp9phyQ3jg8uO2SmVYKiOSkw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMncseWv-alFxZ0zRgxs89TJWfW_kpBOFqW-5txYbMvQ&oe=658910B3 | person_profile | 0 | Family and Pets | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409756621_3696673540657354_5631157214845726331_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a_rKB5mNyXQAX_Vnnfz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAguDYYUzVvMhuJNUW3HYtypciSywZqDDIaYW02ji57vg&oe=65888A68 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Family & Pets | 9521 | https://facebook.com/FamilyandPetsMagazine | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56579 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/25/24, 4:19 AM | 1703105782 | 1724577584 | 65 | 6751756144941956 | 1 | 3.2750759669924E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300677830596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151770 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406281700_320552844089660_7744549635227264222_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l7MfaGukCvsAX8Zc8nD&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCWsdl0pjfI0d8sm_I-SyuDUFtnFLxagAw86E5Oi3Mrow&oe=6588B2CB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406278754_276010794980451_507487442267207327_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PwesoDyGJggAX9A47CZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAz8H0iznp05Fs9MEKaVp35nBp93UbYOZ96JSD3f4bmIQ&oe=65889DCA | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56571 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970777 | 65 | 1001180207618916 | 2 | 3.7060547197791E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300676180596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151568 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406266790_386985680327118_434441213685488201_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x5HwWrI2lfkAX-BCxRa&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAp8uPVrhqBzW-P_ZvlC-wz3Kuoul5ab_MZ00Zy4ExbDw&oe=65879069 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406278539_7164413870245565_6992544150193189847_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FxyPKjvPkoIAX9trMfE&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA9MGygAmH-7kKUZrAIXe-a7FfhCmAwdCegMo4wasIqzg&oe=6588A912 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56570 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 11:36 AM | 1703105782 | 1723653374 | 65 | 900596051063612 | 1 | 2.9768649724556E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300647630596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151443 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405967955_1034167334527402_40810657422705532_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iQ2R1hRCQNoAX_mjWZS&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD7payu_JZd3PhSV_YDuvzi6oJWyMlmGiy-umwxYW5h4g&oe=65888158 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405907516_1049773386443684_893299541312785232_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dmi5dFwRlrgAX85iSu7&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0laF7qlhQ1S0dGnohjUb8SReTL2Y_cpVvitTFl2po_g&oe=65884ADD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56818 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970777 | 65 | 1092001701811610 | 1 | 3.4937844434838E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105485159098860 | 0 | Kimberly Whitney | 120202159684590021 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls40 | 1700796465 | 1.0548515909886E+14 | Kimberly Whitney | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404613338_330074986598884_6635536706707093285_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pkRxjn489wcAX9Vyw85&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB2aQbQOK6tOCNwXY1PGY3lBzEs-EzAp4z_lY2UoIdhpg&oe=6587CC1D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls40&h=AT0L3ihGs2BhaAOGinOjifnT7XPGOglLoZefxe1BhfEP4NB0tsEEdbQNMZnfDA_IuNmGf63wSeGIRXmsNKO_tR9jUkoxsmKp_nn5diiknCQDLkhO5Ah7RsjDT4fi3gD2SOcumj2vN7xgpZROfH1RZHqqbuk" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls40</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3VXK0FpCt5JcuXedzb37YDy91ez9AGY2v6cD4QWGkobef3qqhfiPigjizYSq8d2cpw_rX1Vjr4aEz-qmFQEiDFQyI-6RvJprY86YZ5u6m8PtDW2N00iedqLsirT55cnkph5dAEnFQ6a575OMNGUctFYPiEJoEthCS9qptq" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Kimberly Whitney | 1 | https://facebook.com/100089340903945 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56653 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970777 | 65 | 909812567358227 | 1 | 3.878162469124E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690716140115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055858 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404616693_998852988081412_2037122530473282412_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L5-YKQPaeEYAX-rBjxr&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkW6TeyzGJZl2eoYc1fzytIbUO-LRBYTh1MDIEgIovTA&oe=65887204 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404658838_679057984328417_6056340225919283593_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xm_PGaB8ggUAX_WKVxq&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfChSbQ0mNpUfnTeLSPCk_Q1jwfH_uSGRbCCEmrxL6VgVA&oe=65890A58 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56638 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970777 | 65 | 620307636783323 | 1 | 8.7283816095994E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690720340115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055877 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406270491_830823422057413_2738398626666615644_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uC1D6Kq8x1QAX_lhAut&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA0D4lNSRtNf-kEF3vT3EhY4OtVx7nic5Tk_Msz2zs79Q&oe=6587AA13 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405804439_7005895346162344_2366269030184651958_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TR9sWbI1W9EAX_Vk8KC&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD1CZUoAiTN6N2qovcf8cbZNOZ2N2KATryH8sOsEgUCLw&oe=65888609 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55992 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970777 | 65 | 1770421563431298 | 1 | 2.3547476980417E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201679480240743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702369039 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410021646_1138472690369609_8955548530381608296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dNvLngiBKQEAX_Jcy5x&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBEEbtp8s5Gd11NPJ9mIdITOq3gN--05QfT9IaqYrUEcg&oe=65884353 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407794940_999821304450289_5104069754097791467_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DgMecDLFdvwAX9NUzRW&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCGgIRT7M5Epp7sCOzgphXDjI_pSepcXybqGE8X_ay7Ng&oe=65889B00 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55676 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970777 | 65 | 1469763410421854 | 2 | 1.1871366922457E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102611578357778 | 0 | Royel Otis | 6502152490689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702587266 | 1.0261157835778E+14 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411088320_400931315599717_2330129019037699308_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YC-RpzoE_FMAX_T_7_N&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC_UmjCPh3-cL73g18lPIUleefmJvjCK1bq62qrlrSAQ&oe=6588B692 | person_profile | 0 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409665588_351517970829146_8812112022921536431_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JysmC5jEnUAAX_Avw85&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9ORA9uudwE3yWEV-Ox5_5DR_ChyS0kP6Ee3q5mV5seg&oe=6588D628 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT25Zt_mUiFde0VQY6zDh2m78W-20oUcXpapGRmyg1tNo9nfQwMvnr36X0C0OC6EbySEH6ZTYWThdWaWfaR7os8UvbDkNoEjC2re2cqGRFlgs8xE6p2_lhFd__M9HkmmRaaX4atFOUxeJNWxSM2Paw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Royel Otis | 1360 | https://facebook.com/Royelotisofficial | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56110 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 8:44 AM | 1703105777 | 1747143856 | 65 | 898694221855410 | 1 | 1.0960778679792E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 188721004321129 | 0 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | 120202369787370415 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your Family | JOANNA-A67 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a67-1 | 1702178435 | 1.8872100432113E+14 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409544662_339585975362356_6127316771597631232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VvshIMaYy5AAX985Xvp&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCLIOF9Db3fOFJ9ZNlTIqXIT1-zvU09yC5HOpaxXVb5hg&oe=65885789 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0QCXaXtL6U2PVhqgGe_koYUgPB-0BgeUxmvc-v8qfCPx9ESPegLxFC48HXLSZSkketsZzJSoQxvZdbtZ6Eca0gZUcKsy1Bc5lqw1rbhn-jIepsnLJsDeX6gf_PSG28mBoaZbI5t0f8nGhXcEqHJ56rxFSQccT0sEvL5-PsM90" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61554060344290 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55350 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970778 | 65 | 1374920853154753 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56191 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970778 | 65 | 1030445698062456 | 2 | 2.6504582961378E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672503280427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030351 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409001028_722652773079883_7572210005580018768_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vM1D1QSuudUAX_3h2Y_&_nc_oc=AQmbGw3S0BFIG24zsj4fCLDh95Bhi9fOTFo3kBvVeHFBzn55zNeX78t0Kuy4NIZ3_KQ&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfA4VhH9x7QuPvFmIPer6F-qLJJ0AaYBmkw4IEYMrnwFKw&oe=6587D4B3 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408853768_1057658002146418_4640967276858029941_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gtEHTpLP6coAX8GOkFd&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCHazQGHqfw276fEQrurgUetQuwyDiDAeKs-unP6EknjA&oe=65877F0B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56878 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970778 | 65 | 183494674842130 | 4 | 1.0995041845666E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101404241952511 | 0 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 120200721427720167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679731 | 1.0140424195251E+14 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403057964_1015805766315707_9148496957681327356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhEUB9FsQmIAX-CdlQN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0rocp_dOoIoOxftTU60GRT2M1ayab1etQAIGJBkUzZQ&oe=6587D467 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 386 | https://facebook.com/100082447938895 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55424 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/22/25, 3:07 AM | 1703105769 | 1740193620 | 65 | 1435772507002768 | 1 | 3.1554719469014E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100989375777917 | 0 | Digi Read | 120205113423230385 | travelerdreams.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Celeb-Spangled Holidays: Inside the Extravagant Christmas Décor of the Stars | With Christmas just around the corner, it's the perfect occasion to buy a tree, retrieve the decorations from the attic, and hope for a snowy landscape. If you're unsure about how to adorn your house, perhaps these opulently decorated celebrity homes can offer the inspiration you need. However, you.... | https://travelerdreams.com/celebrity-christmas-decor-eb/ | 1702905542 | 1.0098937577792E+14 | Digi Read | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410985306_741733910639365_7199761145751632081_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xp5FnyqspSQAX9W_cfH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAym4IallAjnpb22s6m1dFufxEeJEhIewyPnJ5DD7EMjA&oe=65885397 | person_profile | 0 | Digi Read | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411662271_405478065149022_44888270205993596_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6aOjMlbSq_EAX-rECPw&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9ZrpYJrtD4_6CDx2ID6F9bEAlxj5vzU7IO4E7KxGsbA&oe=6587F1F5 | 0 | 3 | Celeb-Spangled Holidays: Inside the Extravagant Christmas Décor of the Stars | Digi Read | 35 | https://facebook.com/100076190632439 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56153 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970778 | 65 | 1004671903966786 | 2 | 1.5736298079326E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2014239222175733 | 0 | Gustaf | 6500395711089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702073383 | 2.0142392221757E+15 | Gustaf | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409035245_1058502288685674_4925696982333217851_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i4TS61XSqcsAX_T5Ly3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZY1V4DaqLSFc7P-gxcWv9SZjrsA7IoRhg32Beziu-AA&oe=6588C20E | person_profile | 0 | Gustaf | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409043275_726353989019603_8763585500098186802_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nzf_tMINahgAX-KpI4m&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCw05_ULrY-kDDvjQGhaLuxsCVK4Mz9f4_tr0IbdifmRg&oe=6587489C | 0 | 3 | Great news Salt Lake City! We’re playing Kilby Block Party May 10-12! Tickets on sale now. We can’t wait — hope to see you there!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT1yBhbjsshcMUjuu36Tlf-gqDq5q_K3Yg05kotzhfKq9uJ29eoZuJwEnp2STnsu_Jp_3dxm0d2BVAPPR6apXpFPXltZ8waHkufB_Sa1hjkrHTUuDrySWp9PMR2X2i7UhpO5Gwaw_V0Y47mtUOxj-VRG59-7EbI-tunkOQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Gustaf | 3662 | https://facebook.com/Gustafnyc | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56483 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 9:30 AM | 1703105781 | 1743172207 | 65 | 1329029561150169 | 1.0324412146996E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203115910020294 | dreame.onelink.me | Download | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | https://m.dreame.com/novel/1800871680?auto_jump=true&utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_prt=risingtechnolog&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701257139 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404661461_357658423603550_7695638348842287000_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oDM4Vlp-DHQAX_1Xr3U&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDw7EKFMmD7-gr4u_0RVxIVg6C-l7vrICsY4q3QrgFxRQ&oe=6588C0FA | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404713974_1401117324150602_1889619572435459422_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WN5Ii_YldP8AX8Tsgre&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDTI2venx86_W29kvJSWLs71JAgT8kti79DN3ckjXONJA&oe=65881BD8 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56858 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970778 | 65 | 1342004773107986 | 6 | 1.0526498392064E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611856210115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722741 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404759495_358664273409237_8407035877915880967_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lq6QEA8JV3kAX9JyJXp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAm4HtJCbsEG4gJsxeRuGCpcA_HqhjktY9K4XBKinmQCA&oe=658917FF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404862282_302630776019253_3369954344677624133_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4QUCoalwP54AX_Sbafe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmrXY09lf5lsOvT40xXKqXO_9JC0pLhw-6goRIc5nUnA&oe=65877E4C | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56887 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 10:28 PM | 1703105785 | 1745638137 | 65 | 265123946157297 | 5 | 3.5632109572798E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721409990167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679679 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478545_996064758122985_9149296117747152661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlilrlXHaPoAX_4Bwvj&_nc_oc=AQkbrNAo8cCyrZ0xss52sUH55TJpvpZ7zPmR4kwBcsUa2K9fTH30Tx41zzcQIF5HWnA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzaL-9DlV0U2FlulhNPGtOzw9QlAKtCIiuF1UhZmoxog&oe=658811A3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55979 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 3:58 AM | 1703105775 | 1724057888 | 65 | 1053104265814841 | 1 | 5.5935989305673E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143501980670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374950 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409582718_1053088276018623_130286045580227050_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OmL1XZuRZRMAX8JrRrL&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAW3OLhLPjsGgqGZINpYCXZaUEoo8eVWRY99i-3UdjUvQ&oe=65881AB4 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409811473_3592004564387778_8224060997273464759_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fZ2CQgIlJHUAX9-ttQX&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCbkHjPo43oUriIPD9pc0x9_ZxMkU4eo-pgnGyklV7Psg&oe=6587C8D5 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56936 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 12:00 AM | 1703105786 | 1747371630 | 65 | 879022773560631 | 1.0156560028262E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721035170167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678881 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403723303_340445045354355_4047403071000238198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBZ7kHTb8TwAX_Qbjl0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlqb7v351tTCSWbbEo8vny1J3na10DaYUOBfydQS_EQw&oe=658873C3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55239 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970779 | 65 | 248134731423119 | 1 | 7.6103810251016E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1557901304441461 | 0 | Joanna Buchanan | 6537535306148 | joannabuchanan.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannabuchanan.com/collections/holiday-barware | 1702396379 | 1.5579013044415E+15 | Joanna Buchanan | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409660416_201248763047310_7383727418596824933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=axhoEIuCVgYAX95td62&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCbMLfQ0kr-Ilmso0KYcqgYZr3jWVV1U-QZ2tD7eVH0WQ&oe=6587519C | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA BUCHANAN Home Décor | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409811540_3482815355197610_494738050699142662_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IeM0GZNNA7YAX9V9nS5&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfArsqSXRWhsNLMXmsrYu0JILdGw7V1Cz083p_Sjq7saAA&oe=6587F49E | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Buchanan | 1844 | https://facebook.com/joannabuchananofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55644 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970779 | 65 | 1117600202729771 | 1 | 6.9032717319935E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 138773609309142 | 0 | Trendsetters' Corner | 120203150375610683 | trendymatter.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.trendymatter.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702566203 | 1.3877360930914E+14 | Trendsetters' Corner | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410629918_1015340472876842_7246035397225909673_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-NavO1pW4joAX9hLupn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC_HKuF4SCCT5tt99qJCcjlw5R_RsizPDqwbzbggym9Ng&oe=658869A8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Trendsetters' Corner | 61 | https://facebook.com/61550900203421 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55656 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970780 | 65 | 6569660319823931 | 1 | 1.1111984533796E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045253580514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702610840 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410705096_371147825296611_8706354099245050450_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y6Rc7SgXTk0AX-bqIe6&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD1enw5Kah_kcXxYW7FqGs18QiBgpzLCxohwczx6ErAQQ&oe=6588CF1E | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411071237_1099409654762994_4845617354598616792_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zYtm7N7FG8kAX-5kHjy&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdmqWsBmdUd-MEjSM54NhEQ_AwOF63NjRPOM5eHDY7yA&oe=65887408 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55655 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970780 | 65 | 3677061802537807 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100336802850245 | 0 | Ear-Full | 120203688963660437 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567902 | 1.0033680285024E+14 | Ear-Full | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411176443_301070375616653_5024363684616054288_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pF4evaIIb50AX9MUPLo&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAtkG1hv0nkniEKrfP0PkUwn69LmQMPW7m927R4bK2n4g&oe=6587DD8A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Ear-Full | 1221 | https://facebook.com/100085747822992 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55654 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970780 | 65 | 2382972468563149 | 2 | 1.0089377503986E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205062533310729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702608738 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409192004_662902592591701_7299478541949216377_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VC1ZyHa8THAAX-rtkcH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0MgmCs0h9SdRyX_qDFWA3BjvWYgHvwBzPCwCTUO_H2Q&oe=6588EA5C | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409875880_1445274449665579_6195867779133189393_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fWN0OJWIn_kAX9mo-PD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3Aa3EahI8MsDUloeWXDWE1Q1J7I2SDaD_dOQwMo6AIQ&oe=65875EB2 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56974 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 9:43 AM | 1703105786 | 1724078615 | 65 | 1381442785816554 | 4 | 1.0318422547396E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721011560167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678821 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404328773_1017772942786960_6287617802985419107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fiLiPGFBw6UAX-mXH24&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEFll7jCjYDoa6MW5vtIFCIaJhdpyNPhZiIDuTmsiA1A&oe=6588C10F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56808 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970780 | 65 | 902277144658932 | 1 | 7.1368849035068E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632014100115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796602 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404609433_315588758089313_6854826678548173965_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXBHgcZeYFsAX-uOnPP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD-5qTsDbVf7_YZK1WMkPDmG83sYHo-U7PVw9hb3qaEJQ&oe=65876681 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404784306_665630998990031_1878432636366423147_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gg-F22iOHZQAX_jNNeu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCL9alj02-dIeVxLL8s9KaK5qv45vlZxjCJ2-nIfzeCOQ&oe=65891894 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56258 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970780 | 65 | 1753451458502571 | 1 | 7.0601770815924E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997318620476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940779 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409071662_364541739417381_3200702199391172462_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rj_3M8u4N6cAX_cKTcU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDIhNAbnVDHo9cmcz7AW5JPScBou7IU1_nj4ymw4nVQmw&oe=65888213 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408935378_889151196175814_8125778676810933449_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7B3DXiACtjMAX-ByvHd&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBnLlhQC2ztIDDCEvmZX42LxojyTQpxwdA-pXMwZKKA_Q&oe=6587C724 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56373 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970780 | 65 | 1288465635174093 | 1.4290925879512E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202285438820275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666882 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408234050_1021215109134358_8455423126747833324_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=poSISVX0ujsAX8bz55A&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDnFAueIIkiWJXDSUwZ7_A59YW9p9j2RN6tWWJuLR5tGQ&oe=6587BFAA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56762 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970780 | 65 | 239890702244709 | 1 | 1.1016300845494E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343768970404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843456 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405747347_313782811478731_4461950682269425456_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A-k92uNpHiEAX908EBa&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCmDqCDZ7D4XD1w4X28-Hjds3XIgyMoKMOrexGyjlWazg&oe=6587B96A | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405739031_364560399366462_6551789670099866607_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7KZbdR_Myf4AX_Lu32R&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDBETBmUnrCBAhtusSpaXdlzdy11JWcPgSCocIXrIXfYQ&oe=65883C1D | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56494 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970780 | 65 | 1871696426594497 | 2 | 6.6195068276272E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1181854881965784 | 0 | Royal Delicacy | 120203290717970409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1701290558 | 1.1818548819658E+15 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406125870_3560897967520226_5250621508673673819_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ntOK18-WpyUAX9uZ-Vx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA2IxGGn51-pe9EOvxWjpgiGQFxHpw3wle9-c6Z9zuTcA&oe=6588BFD8 | person_profile | 0 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406093546_1554108028693564_2771849704211741776_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RLt7XNY4jIQAX-Ds8ua&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXFZAD8VIOdcTOfAshrc47RcmYTtlU6qHE_1vf2WFWrA&oe=65892BC4 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Royal Delicacy | 85407 | https://facebook.com/RoyalDelicacyFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56205 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970780 | 65 | 866503132143586 | 2 | 9.8798170229994E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074083780476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016039 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406725632_738628448079938_7396938323920516107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xjy7a0_P45IAX9mWIBS&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfA4ZCcBmKH-RRMspAPSiCu8ohio4u-t85-HbILNggwUhQ&oe=6587D762 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406754709_327658053364288_4876315505917262983_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WuZxR70XxMUAX841n4s&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfBpdDm07APrOmriKBfNXLr8vK80wE0pSVZkDbIG6Mw0pA&oe=6587F9EE | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56201 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 6:01 PM | 1703105778 | 1723676507 | 65 | 367840865902552 | 5 | 4.0040837231424E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074057400476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015916 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406746215_1552047938901448_7259351390932454844_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YMeHIGijlb4AX9nR-yf&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfAoyks44V-uj4xh3H0LlEjko_fLAtaUAUqzGLWEiD4GGQ&oe=658912B8 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406741719_319776707517475_4994024922074386222_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FAWjIGiDHNcAX8jBY7T&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfBBPNTx9KNpmIQLsv1gkzaxSqkoQOq63dGXegWuYoa2tw&oe=65883B7E | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56184 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970781 | 65 | 657056253297076 | 3 | 3.496162150623E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672505740427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030407 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407985264_1055347472474090_873310301127228096_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YCo0TKmuorQAX-XoCTf&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAFazvfQQsrXp2bl-F1OHlRd3Y8EZh0kjD2upJTMGKaLw&oe=65878F86 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408041406_4000706073495700_2181857195921727526_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OHRk7jzM2w8AX9d6UXK&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCwX3ZbCCXEZUUF5NFEYAXlDDxYc5-a_yvACAUV2mEBKA&oe=6588581C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56119 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970781 | 65 | 907441843709970 | 3 | 1.0813951533077E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753718930427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119691 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409318944_887164666471946_728370610298089367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D7oWaVYa-JkAX_uBp-c&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAjCBXQ-_LwK41UATlEZqOTb-VGgHDNmgfWEps9y4Gx4w&oe=6587972B | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408603138_1025862652006769_7286759466773098704_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KbWMZNlPZk8AX8lnRn0&_nc_oc=AQkvQvXF1TdAHiVH6jdyjT0BptqrsH4HTQ2X9IfPASm5NGKbRCsutN7gkpydtE9l4mD9WW766avZephpmdtt7lwP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBy6Crmuur_BDMg7WMvJWAMvfHeGo8fjE7Pwm5VmGcadw&oe=6588E645 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56123 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970781 | 65 | 1096490774709870 | 2 | 2.9949278909666E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753709080427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119699 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409555013_1598335897638807_8519515434360997818_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BHTQKMQ-SdsAX_x-RYT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAZYDHNxPORczyXmUrEp5LojMeQ_SNpjHQYRAtdCTFq0A&oe=6588BFEC | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409598101_1049765939477640_663825076262667230_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TKFQnnXIf-IAX9yc9O0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBOLRbo2h72lveJLWQ8CFlfjzGbBaeTpVN0No6s_GXwkA&oe=6588BBA0 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56279 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 3:25 PM | 1703105778 | 1731187544 | 65 | 233377996441239 | 1 | 3.845134340122E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109302508635828 | 0 | Yepes entertainment | 120201668858830549 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | You know how sometimes a cartoon perfectly captures a complicated feeling? That's exactly what these talented female comic artists do. We found them all on Instagram, and they immediately made us hit the Follow Button. Take the Illustrator of Curves, who celebrates the diversity of women's bodies, J... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701888143 | 1.0930250863583E+14 | Yepes entertainment | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408987240_1957663487953116_504935411977021565_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3XzsAGARdoYAX8cVuHL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB7p77jSXhex1V1w-jZtBO_Xj7tWv2DiqMV-mIvIbXGbA&oe=6588491F | person_profile | 0 | Yepes entertainment | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408905589_375657098237295_1339448127728691339_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tJ7zDyt-QgcAX8Mgo_G&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAjxxgq1npUBPe9xjTnCno0A_i1wuYRWc0VkwpRYYc00g&oe=65880149 | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Yepes entertainment | 41 | https://facebook.com/100086995244156 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56049 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970782 | 65 | 916477823447181 | 1 | 3.4091148200151E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498174140278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287784 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409673601_1044132776632905_7436633158107305081_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gYdlcLkz0DEAX-YwfHM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQuKH7ecf9_PacHwOfhAIc-x77hQhI-7A6lsAJ_iIi0A&oe=658824AB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409540993_1003688830691014_3644449161408460703_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ixpYDlnxmswAX8sb7VN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDVQx95X0XjPOTm8powMKeFZJ39jTsjcWZbF3CzpW63QQ&oe=65881EB4 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55680 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970783 | 65 | 881480333558183 | 1.0086188768708E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102611578357778 | 0 | Royel Otis | 6502149668889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702586567 | 1.0261157835778E+14 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410840008_1286961766032115_2912882033202960504_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dFVzgxDO23kAX81hqH1&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD25b9p6eW7YnItY22ncXcJVNTth6PJdo4WFeGhGjGmtA&oe=65877BE4 | person_profile | 0 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410113421_902739528250276_4841333503246802043_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMUluWycMwsAX8bfhPT&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDM6jU13JgT2KgCsHMmPgSjLp1BmSlrBC0ZjQ30MeFQGg&oe=65885F2E | 0 | 3 | Kilby Block Party! Get your tickets now cause we’ve got ours. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3Hfcwfsp3xVAJ_4g3TsVRlTEqrmstnX-Qg4A-bzk2ioFkonfAZG7MR4tJ3YLw7jKQTFeVN6hs9JCfcMPBNBi2nsFRKqh0FWU3hocnIKHzXlk5N_WmvpNgblidN4-QNin_ISRDRfKBYPmpLoxWIemFSltklUk2BfTY" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Royel Otis | 1360 | https://facebook.com/Royelotisofficial | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55605 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970783 | 65 | 1053496205873363 | 1 | 1.9135071557138E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201343803060146 | www.novel-oasis.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<Alpha's Regret : Pregnant Rejected Luna>📜 | https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/py2atupib2x4dijspljevmgj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702630050 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411088981_169979712838473_3408845556695610945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d3Ck_2jTwaAAX--wr2i&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDR_ClDvrJPwgb48b_S-utgACFpbpZr4Kf8D7Jw7mRd6w&oe=6587F56B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 💔Rejected and pregnant by her alpha mate, she escaped and assumed that he had built a family with his chosen mate, until..."Luna Hazel, the Alpha had been searching for you for five years."<br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> "Hazel, I've found my mate," Ethan declared, his solemn voice echoed through our large and dimly lit bedroom, the weight of his words hanging heavily between us.<br /> My heart sank as I gazed at his devastatingly handsome face, his features etched with determination. Each beat felt like a sharp stab, tearing my emotions to shreds.<br /> "You found your mate?" I stammered, my voice barely rising above a whisper, hoping against hope that he would say otherwise.<br /> Ethan's grey eyes, once filled with warmth for me, now seemed cold and distant as they locked onto mine. He had been absent for days, leaving me to worry about his sudden change in demeanor.<br /> Then earlier that evening, he returned home with an aura of seriousness and sternness.<br /> "We need to talk," he announced, his voice tinged with seriousness.<br /> Our relationship was anything but a typical family; our union had been forced after a one-night stand. Yet, deep down, I had always loved Ethan, not merely because he was the Alpha's son and the future Alpha himself, but because he had a special place in my heart. I had prayed to the moon goddess countless times to grant me the honor of being his mate, but unfortunately, I wasn't.<br /> The Mooncrest pack, a concealed world within what appeared to be an ordinary estate to outsiders, thrived in secrecy. We coexisted harmoniously with humans, our true identities hidden from the oblivious world.<br /> On the night of my coming of age,I had gotten drunk and ranted to Ethan how frustrated I was that I couldn't feel the mate bond between us. He was also intoxicated, and we found ourselves entangled in a passionate embrace, this happened only months after he had taken on the role of Alpha. The morning after, I felt the weight of my heart's desire and impulsively proposed to him, urging him to take responsibility for our actions and marry me. Despite not being fated mates, I believed love could transcend the boundaries of destiny.<br /> Ethan looked conflicted, his brow furrowed as he pondered my proposition. "But I'm not your mate," he stated calmly.<br /> "It doesn't matter, you don't have a mate. It's been five years since you came of age, this would be the sixth year, which would mean you don't have a fated mate," I tried convincing him.<br /> Throughout the wedding preparations, Ethan displayed cooperation but remained emotionally distant. I clung to the hope that he would eventually love me, just like my parents, who weren't fated mates, my mom and dad weren't fated mates but had grown to love each other, after my dad died, heartbroken mom followed. She was completely heartbroken and couldn't do without him. Being fated mates wasn't necessary, Ethan would grow to love me.<br /> I was sure, so very sure. We had only been married for six months now. Ethan fulfilled his roles as a husband almost robotically. I was respected as Luna and as his wife, I wanted more, to be close to him as a real loving couple but he was always so distant. But I settled for what he could give, a functional relationship not a loving one believing with time, I could win his heart.<br /> Then, everything changed abruptly. Ethan returned home this evening with a spark in his eyes, unlike any I had seen before. "I need to tell you something," he began, a mix of excitement and guilt in his voice. "I've found my mate."<br /> My heart shattered anew as he described her, a radiant smile on his features as he described her, he never smiled at me that way. that had never been meant for me. I couldn't help but wonder where I fit in his life now.<br /> Ethan explained that his newfound mate had been badly injured when they found her and was currently at the hospital, prompting him to leave. With a heavy heart, I watched him walk away, the realization sinking in ' I won't be coming home anytime soon.' that was what he came to tell me.<br /> The next morning was gloomy and dark, just like how I felt. What's going to happen now? I wondered. What would happen to I and Ethan.<br /> I lay in bed lacking the motivation to leave my room. The sheets smelt of him, I cuddled it unwilling to leave this room dominated by his scent. I remained in bed the whole day feeling sick, drowsy and dizzy.<br /> I had my meals there jn my bedroom lacking motivation to move about.<br /> On the third day, I lay there wrapped in the sheets that clung Ethan's musk and ice scent, my mind filled with uncertainty about the future for Ethan and me.<br /> Lying in bed, I clung to the sheets, which still carried his scent. It was an unwillingness to leave this room that seemed dominated by his presence. However, the sound of three raspy knocks interrupted my thoughts.<br /> "Good morning, Luna. The chores have all been completed. We got a call from the Alpha's office. He forgot some documents, the deeds of a land? It's in a blue file, and he has sent Adam to have it delivered," my house servant, Martha informed me.<br /> "I'll go myself. Tell Adam to wait; he'll drive me to the office," I instructed, mustering the strength to get up and face the day.<br /> A part of me yearned to see Ethan, to understand his thoughts and the implications of his newfound mate. I clutched the documents in my hands, feeling the weight of my responsibilities as Luna pressing down on me.<br /> Once dressed, I rushed downstairs, acknowledging the greetings of the servants as I passed by them. "Where to, Luna?" the driver, Adam, asked as I gracefully got into the car.<br /> "The company," I replied, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. I needed to see Ethan.<br /> The drive to the company was short, but it felt like an eternity with the weight of uncertainty on my shoulders. As we arrived, I walked into the magnificent building that housed Ethan's company. It stood tall and imposing, a reflection of the man who owned it.<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> Making my way to his office, I hesitated outside the door, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. When I finally entered, I found Ethan seated behind his desk, engrossed in his work. His presence still had the power to render me speechless.<br /> For a moment, I stood there, admiring his broad shoulders and handsome features. However, his gaze met mine, and any warmth I had hoped to see was replaced with disinterest.<br /> "I brought the files," I said, my voice steady, placing the documents on his desk.<br /> He nodded, acknowledging my gesture but saying nothing.<br /> "Have you had lunch? We could eat together," I suggested, my heart hoping for a chance to talk, to connect with him again.<br /> "There's no need for that; I promised Bella we'd eat together," he replied, and a pang of jealousy struck my heart at the mention of his mate's name.<br /> "Bella?" I questioned, unable to hide my curiosity.<br /> "My mate," came the curt reply, and I felt a mixture of sorrow and bitterness rise within me.<br /> "You remember the conditions that led to our marriage, right? It was all a big mistake. As for Bella, she's been through a lot. She was being trafficked, practically hidden and in captivity when we rescued her. That was why it took me this long to find her. I have a mate now, Hazel," he said, his eyes holding the truth of his love for Bella.<br /> My heart clenched as I listened to his words, understanding that our relationship meant nothing.<br /> "You want to announce her as your mate?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly.<br /> "I can't. At least not now. She's too weak to be Luna. Apart from her injuries, she's a gamma. So she's weak. I can't cast you aside; the pack will not approve of it. I still need you to stand in as Luna. It's not a request but an order, I am ordering you as your Alpha," Ethan stated authoritatively, his eyes burning with passion for Bella.<br /> "Yes," I nodded demurely, my heart aching with the realization that I would be living in the shadow of his true mate.<br /> "What about me?" I whispered, unable to suppressing the pain in my voice.<br /> "I only married you because of the mistake. You were never my mate, Hazel. I've found her now. Know your place," he said coldly, and I understood that there was no room for me in his heart.<br /> "You'll be well compensated. Don't worry."<br /> As I sank into a nearby chair, I felt my dreams shatter into a thousand pieces. It had only been days since we had grown closer, shared moments of intimacy, and I had foolishly believed it meant something more. But now, it was clear that he belonged to her, and I was merely a temporary placeholder.<br /> Turning to leave, my heart heavy with sorrow, a lady rushed past me, heading straight for Ethan's office. Our eyes met briefly, sense of déjà vu washed over me, as if I had seen her before.<br /> Hurrying into the office, Bella threw herself into Ethan's arms, and my heart ached as I witnessed the depth of their connection. Ethan held her tenderly, his voice soft and caring as he spoke to her. There was a love between them that could never be replicated with me. That was the mate bond, it's the real thing. I've been with Ethan but he never looked at me that way, but he just met Bella but there was clear and burning love in his eyes.<br /> "I'll wait outside," I murmured, my voice choked with emotion, unable to bear their intimacy any longer.<br /> "Wait," Ethan called, his tone still cold but firm.<br /> Turning to face him, I braced myself for whatever he was about to say.<br /> "Hazel, this is Bella, my mate. Bella, meet Hazel, we are married. She'll be performing the Luna function for now until you're safe," he introduced us, his gaze softening as he looked at Bella, and becoming detached as he glanced at me. Ones body language couldn't lie.<br /> Bella regarded me with a smug smile, and I could feel her disdain for me, understanding that I was an obstacle in her path.<br /> "I'm sure we'll get along," I managed to say politely, though my heart felt heavy with pain.<br /> "Thank you," Bella replied, her words laced with underlying tension.<br /> I turned to leave, deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator. The empty stairwell provided a quiet sanctuary where I could finally let my tears flow freely. Ethan and Bella were a perfect fit, destined for each other, while I was merely a replacement, a fake. The real mate was back now.<br /> My heart ached for the dreams I had foolishly held onto the hope of a loving and functional relationship with Ethan. It was now clear that he would devote himself to his true mate, Bella.<br /> Heart hammering in my chest and holding back tears I walked away.<br /> Just as I got to the stairs I heard someone call out my name. Turning, to the caller, it's her Bella walking towards me with a menacing and mean look on her face.<br /> **<br /> The moment Bella was informed of Ethan's wife's visit to his office, she hurriedly left the hospital heading there. Curiosity and a desire to assert her position as his true mate fueled her actions. Bella wanted to see what Hazel looked like and make it clear that she was the one destined to be with Ethan. As she approached, she couldn't help but feel a strong wave of anger, sensing Hazel's presence as a strong and capable werewolf. It was intimidating, compared to her, she was a nobody. It was clear, she didn't need anyone to tell her. Looking at Hazel she felt a bitter surge of anger, she would have to compete with that.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> She studied Hazel as Ethan introduced the both of them. In front of her stood an attractive and ravishingly beautiful she-wolf, and Bella couldn't help but compare herself to her. Bella knew she was no match, physically or in status, and that she could never compete with Hazel. She was merely an ordinary gamma, not fit to become Luna. The only confidence she had stemmed from the mate bond she shared with Ethan.<br /> Determined to secure Ethan as her mate and husband, Bella knew she had to get rid of Hazel. She needed the Luna position for herself. Ethan kindly offered to take Hazel back to the hospital and asked her to wait for him to finish some business. This provided Bella with an opportunity to carry out her plan.<br /> As she pondered how to remove Hazel from the picture, Bella realized the challenge she faced. Hazel was a reliable and beloved Luna; the pack spoke highly of her, making it almost impossible to win their acceptance. Frustration and self-hatred overwhelmed Bella, fueling her determination to find a way to claim Ethan as her own.<br /> Instead of waiting for Ethan, Bella decided to follow Hazel as she headed for the stairs. Seizing the moment, she approached her, calling out to her in a cold and unfriendly tone. With no one else around, Bella dropped the act of being sick and fragile, revealing her true self.<br /> "Don't be shameless, Hazel," Bella retorted sharply. "His mate is back now; shouldn't you leave? The only reason he hasn't offered to divorce you is because he pities you. You should take the initiative to end things. I am his mate, not you. Stop hoarding what's not yours," she spat, her anger and jealousy evident in her words.<br /> Hazel looked taken aback by Bella's sudden change in demeanor.<br /> HAZEL<br /> Frustrated and fed up with Bella's smug smile and public display of affection with Ethan, I walked away, hoping to escape her taunts and irritation that now fueled me. However, she relentlessly followed me, seemingly intent on provoking a reaction. My initial sadness turned to a surge of irritation; how dare she talk to me this way?<br /> Unable to bear her presence any longer, I turned to face her, my head held high and my fists clenched in an attempt to appear brave and resolute. "I am still his lawful wife. You may be his mate, but not everyone gets married to their mates. You can remain his mistress. I didn't hoard nor did I steal. I'll remain Luna, doing what's right for the pack," I asserted firmly, determined to stand my ground.<br /> Her once beautiful face contorted into a mask of bitter anger and rage. Deep down, she knew I was right; Ethan may shower her with love and emotions, but I was still his wife, the Luna. She wasn't fit to be Luna, fully aware of her ordinary gamma status and the vast difference in our wolf bloodlines. My parents possessed a strong and noble wolf lineage, making me a perfect fit for the role of Luna, a position of royalty. On the other hand, she was an ordinary gamma, the weakest in the wolf hierarchy.<br /> You're a mistress, that's all." With that I turned to leave.<br /> She walked faster stood in front of me blocking my way to the stairs,then she started backing off slowly, heading towards the stairs.<br /> "What are you doing?" I snapped in frustration, witnessing her sly smile as she continually walked backwards until she reached the edge of the stairs.<br /> Suddenly, she let out a chilling scream and allowed herself to fall, dramatically rolling down the staircase. I stood stunned<br /> I couldn't comprehend what had just happened. She had fallen, and the chaos that ensued was overwhelming.<br /> She threw herself down the stairs and fell. She lay at the end of the stairs writhing in pain. "Help, she pushed me." She cried.<br /> "What?!" I snapped, feeling my frustration and irritation intensify.<br /> Upon closer observation, I noticed that Bella wasn't badly hurt; she had taken care not to fall in a way that would cause serious injury. Ethan rushed out to her side, his concern evident, and I felt a pang of jealousy that he was giving her all his attention. He threw an angry gaze in my direction.<br /> Bella was carried out of the building and into a car to be rushed to a hospital. I followed behind, instructing Adam to follow Ethan's car. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and amazement; just what was she up to? I knew I hadn't touched her. The smug smile she gave me before releasing herself to fall from the stairs flashed before my eyes, and suddenly it all became clear - she did it on purpose to make me seem evil and make Ethan hate me.<br /> At the hospital, I waited in the waiting room while Bella was taken to the emergency ward. She had badly bruised her calf, but she concealed a smile in my direction, mocking and taunting me. Enraged, I couldn't hold back any longer and walked into her room.<br /> "You did it on purpose! I never pushed you. Admit it!" I yelled, my anger boiling over.<br /> Before I could reach her, Ethan stepped in, grabbing and shoving me away. The betrayal and disbelief in his eyes cut deep. "How could you hurt her?" he growled. The hospital belonged to the pack, and people were all around, witnessing this confrontation.<br /> "Not only did you push her, but you're also denying it! Have you always been this way? Cold-hearted and wicked? You could have killed her!" Ethan's words echoed in my ears, and my heart shattered at his accusations.<br /> Sitting on the cold hospital floor, I felt humiliated and lost, while people peered through the doors to see what was happening. The pack, who once respected and admired me as Luna, now saw me as a spiteful woman trying to harm my husband's mate.<br /> "Get out. Right now," Ethan ordered, his voice filled with anger and disappointment.<br /> I stumbled off the floor, shock and confusion overwhelming me. "Ethan, believe me, I didn't do it. I never pushed her," I pleaded desperately, but he seemed unwilling to listen.<br /> "Go home and wait for me," he instructed, and with a heavy heart, I obeyed, walking away stunned and unsure of how to salvage my relationship and reputation.<br /> I truge down the stairs still in a daze, I couldn't believe what had just happened.<br /> As Adam pulled into the driveway of our gated mansion, my mind was still in turmoil. I exited the car almost robotically, my heart heavy with the burden of the truth that had been twisted against me.<br /> As I passed the servants, I couldn't even hear their greetings. The whispers about the incident followed me like a dark cloud, painting me as a villain in the eyes of the pack.<br /> In the solitude of my dark bedroom, I grappled with my emotions, trying to make sense of the situation. I knew I had to explain everything to Ethan, to make him understand the truth. Bella, just what was she up to? Framing me up like this wasn't necessary.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> Ethan tightly held onto Bella, his body trembling with anger. He couldn't believe Hazel would hurt someone, but he witnessed it firsthand when she tried to harm Bella, his mate.<br /> "Ethan, I'm okay now. It's just a small injury. When she pushed me, I instinctively protected myself to minimize the damage. I'm sorry, I'm just so weak," Bella said, her voice trailing off. "I shouldn't have followed her, but something seemed familiar about her, so I confronted her, and that's when she pushed me."<br /> "What? Why would she be so angry at you? It doesn't make sense for her to try to kill you," Ethan inquired, trying to understand the situation.<br /> "Alpha, I want to tell you some things, but please don't get mad," Bella said, looking at him intently.<br /> Ethan adjusted to meet her gaze, ready to listen to her explanation.<br /> "For over two years now, I've known you were my mate. I was planning to come and find you, but on the night of your birthday celebration, I was abducted. When I woke up, I was already being sold and taken far away," Bella revealed sadly.<br /> Ethan's heart broke at the revelation, realizing that he had missed out on meeting his mate for such a long time.<br /> "When I was drugged, I heard a woman's voice giving instructions to my kidnappers. She wanted me taken far away. And when I met Hazel, I felt she was familiar, so I confronted her. In her rage, she pushed me down the stairs. I was terrified, but I managed to protect myself," Bella lied, trying to make her story more convincing as she broke down sobbing.<br /> Ethan froze upon hearing her words, shocked that Hazel had tried to kill Bella not once but twice. He now understood why Hazel had kept them apart, purposely preventing them from meeting as mates.<br /> He remembered Hazel's obsession with him since their teenage years, always seeking his attention and constantly being around him. However, he never imagined she would go to such extreme lengths to get rid of his mate. She had convinced him to marry her, assuring him and very certain that his mate was dead.<br /> "Get some rest; I'll be back later. I need to take care of something," Ethan said in a constrained voice, filled with anger. Bella nodded, hiding a small smile, knowing her plan was working.<br /> Ethan believed Hazel intentionally kept them apart and married him, which fueled his decision to divorce her. Bella felt pleased with herself, as she knew Ethan's reaction was going as she had planned.<br /> While he walked away, he made a call to his Beta, Chris. "Arrange a marriage annulment, I'll be divorcing the Luna." He instructed.<br /> He hadn't planned anything drastic, but the revelation of how she had kept them apart ticked him. The feeling of being a fool and manipulated by her over took all other emotions he had for her.<br /> The documents were made ready in minutes and he drove off late that night to their gated mansion.<br /> HAZEL<br /> I was just settling into sleep when the doors swung open, and Ethan walked into our bedroom. "Sign this," he instructed, flinging a blue document on the bed.<br /> Curious and puzzled, I picked up the file and read the bold words "Marriage Annulment." "Ethan, what's this?" I asked calmly, trying to keep my emotions in check. "You're divorcing me? You..."<br /> "Bella's my mate, I'll get married to her officially by next week. You have until then to sign that, the rejection will take place tomorrow," he replied in a restrained voice.<br /> My heart sank, and a knot formed in my stomach. This couldn't be happening. "Do you love her?" I found myself asking, wanting to know the truth. "Did you ever love me? Or even come to like me?"<br /> "No, you were convenient, at least that's what I thought till it came clear to me that it was all your plot, keeping Bella away, staying around me while I was drunk and trying to kill her yesterday!" he retorted with anger in his voice.<br /> My eyes widened in disbelief and hurt. "What are you talking about?" I shot out of bed, running towards him. "I never pushed Bella. She threw herself..."<br /> "Enough!" Ethan interrupted, furiously grabbing my arm and pinning me to the wall. His fingers tightened around my arm, digging into my skin. His body was shaking with anger, and his gaze was filled with disdain. "You're a mistake, getting married to you was a mistake. I fell for your plot. You purposely got me drunk that day and probably drugged me that night, right?"<br /> My head dropped slowly as tears filled my eyes. I was guilty of that. "I'll only give you a little bit of honor because of the service of your late father, for harming my mate, your Luna. You shouldn't be allowed to live. I need you out of my home by tomorrow. Bella will be moving in," he said, releasing his grip on me as I fell weakly to the floor.<br /> It's hopeless, he believes her, even if he didn't, I didn't have a place here anymore, not in his heart. I'd hoped to win his love but that would never happen now.<br /> "Are you okay, ma'am?" James, the family butler, asked, helping me up. I took a pen and signed the papers. I ran after Ethan as he got into his car and called out, "Wait! I've signed it. I hope you're happy together."<br /> Ethan took the files, got into his car, and drove away. James stood beside me, offering silent comfort.<br /> I spent the night packing and organizing my things. I decided to give away most of them to the kind helpers.<br /> Morning came, and I hadn't slept at all. James and Martha helped me with the final preparations. James said, "Finding your mate is a happy thing. He's so in love. The Alpha never hated or disliked you. It just wasn't meant to be. I hope you find your mate."<br /> "It's good you're not pregnant; it would have made things messier." He added<br /> Confused, I asked, "What do you mean? What would have happened if I was?"<br /> James explained, "The first child of the Alpha must come from his mate, not a rejected one. Having the Alpha's first child outside of the mateship is complicated. In most cases, such children might just be aborted. If the lady had the child, it would grow up with the Alpha and his mate, though most likely as an illegitimate child by the pack, if the Luna accepted the child. In most cases, though, the child was just aborted."<br /> James excused himself, leaving Martha and me alone. She held my hands, and concern filled her eyes.<br /> "Oh ma'am, you didn't ask for your ginseng dose last month," Martha said softly. "You usually have menstrual cramps and request those soups, but it's been weeks now, and you haven't asked for them. You also haven't had your time of the month yet, have you?" she inquired, urging me to consider the possibility.<br /> The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been preoccupied with everything that was happening, and it hadn't even occurred to me. Could I actually be pregnant? Counting back, along with the morning sickness and tiredness I had, it seemed possible. I looked at Martha in horror, and she seemed to understand. | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56175 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970783 | 65 | 1528740674594798 | 1 | 8.5307222983961E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672577810427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030381 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408082783_3583837431895591_3844498769547307077_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dU2DBSrcSzAAX_dax1I&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlEX138OUrvHQJGSc4LfcDNOWg5rEj69ZrRk9g64X9Cg&oe=6587585C | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408020291_1028730201727551_263014485346319100_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dOMUoRreG-8AX-PuEnd&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAYeYP_VKzaXOjzVyFNYUPh1MviBsWbyQvi9Htd4xhp_w&oe=6588D1AC | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56056 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970783 | 65 | 1421335085121784 | 1 | 3.6281641975161E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974910450427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287772 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409634666_1501053610695126_4434119859640342578_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dPd9xcMU2-EAX8PPj_a&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDnp7WsYoSZ-jmTR-4KakU2aLjjY3_sVMpGYQKtkEPN5Q&oe=6587E026 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409567418_728438672145380_6259002441386767851_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e9xZ82vnzOoAX8CenXG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD1WpHyVeZUu_lRF69UUFNq7_mLNaK9_bn4ttAKIuflog&oe=658881F4 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56599 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970783 | 65 | 2085738108436372 | 1 | 3.0015366298071E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715937200115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140264 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405876466_710724801021427_607997595908166252_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eEvUJJXucP4AX_R-yMp&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDWFHAWSwwhpJ2SmYxjuEJyjkBNmmxPa3GtETlHogmQmA&oe=6588AF61 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405795882_590487616536617_5406588653728452806_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C_KA6mGU02sAX975NQY&_nc_oc=AQmxi-3KgJukwDuVO-1Blup3u6RT93wuzeXwoAH1ZMn89cKbs3Z1daqqSROG0G-ZMsg&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDaLsC9ZfYZbl3bagJPqtFW68jvEybevm14iUqdV8MlHA&oe=65881AE9 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55530 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970783 | 65 | 377649437968541 | 2 | 1.3494633990146E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 146487481057 | 0 | Vampire Weekend | 6502478824689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702671359 | 146487481057 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410264557_2596320620508698_105487969571941998_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7VCwEbEguBwAX_d89c0&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB_XsGR2ZW8o-JhEDRbTJKC4DWvNBi9fszmNnlh_iUbUA&oe=658889F2 | person_profile | 0 | Vampire Weekend | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411645745_314963378109789_6267468527826207819_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hEI5NcRjEdEAX81yswg&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBbChj23sLa1k_EHs2eCUnDg7LyuUbhH5EBE8q54Crl9Q&oe=6587CD63 | 0 | 3 | Vampire Weekend | 1967275 | https://facebook.com/VampireWeekend | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56768 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970784 | 65 | 838486624719888 | 1 | 2.0898654247059E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343747120404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843555 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404379154_3629249914023369_7440249980536549894_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XR5WEK2_10IAX_KXxDw&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD79UvGzOnd6-FaGop2hHf6Bgj0TogRDVgUVGWx32xEIA&oe=65885E1F | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405828052_358980876792506_3300246407302995831_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gWjul_Ln7EcAX-tIaWK&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDmrCyH0KUySf0Dsb7hSqh-Bp_0cyjwYP9Rie1kMjhKkw&oe=6587ACBD | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55683 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970784 | 65 | 359544023353934 | 3.1054075861595E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102761368209901 | 0 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 6529578653381 | www.youtube.com | Watch more | NONE | video | 40th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade | https://www.youtube.com/@eatlivelovesanfernandovalley/ | 1702586083 | 1.027613682099E+14 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409806454_1532955984117860_2931436596948007810_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gSZtwFx87YsAX_7c_Jg&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBMhqBqXv7sPShIbxuyKgeF2tQCqVCYaTre209y1BzFpQ&oe=658826CB | person_profile | 0 | Eat Live Love SFV | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409715910_854100329731186_6533545376754117372_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YsKW9SwlLnAAX_ruNXC&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfClpxWYKKEtjAbzuN1fc2bcLbBS8-IZ3muOJdQkJGzyzQ&oe=65877E90 | 0 | 3 | #TBT to the magical moments of the 40th annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade 🎉🎄🕎❤ celebrating community spirit earlier this month. <br /> <br /> A huge THANK YOU to all the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible! 🙏 Your hard work and passion brought our community together in the most amazing way. | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 1829 | https://facebook.com/EatLiveLoveSanFernandoValley | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55691 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970784 | 65 | 900421095046212 | 1 | 1.4614009210756E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202496553190123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702560531 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411207440_917462869955988_6628937873064354953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q_ZTeytKX8MAX8KouFG&_nc_oc=AQmC83hhnasdw1O7X6b_gpMgSXB8vvsBvjYegY-LzhHKviSuz-AldOckJIpzOKMqfAI&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBsUBznt-vmGA92sepH1xImDUUxbhaVygXPjqdwSGcAlQ&oe=6587D760 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411193872_1033371944618380_8039030828678606285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4VUTr70NFgAX_yVtkn&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPlJXerJSKL4z_uuI04xAxjdq8ldyI5l2B4-UhOVyt1Q&oe=6587D5C7 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55489 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970784 | 65 | 793785155890182 | 1 | 1.3343268372155E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508886190427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806535 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411123616_1133659110939114_2186472945963345802_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yDLpHBmbKS4AX__lHsZ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBZNW3-nh2g1JNVc09OPT5YKoBUTIT6arrk6BlvIjpAqg&oe=65885CB5 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411039538_383051274178650_5857796707623511743_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ctpeACgXdAcAX84P_ht&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBnn_Ep0nOlxWmZQwinRgzMkiAwmxH-BLXSWxFBursMrA&oe=6587ADB3 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55485 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970784 | 65 | 385247860826240 | 1 | 3.6979186220507E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107296778955135 | 0 | Joanna's Piano | 120205019756440264 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/joannas.piano | 1702817434 | 1.0729677895514E+14 | Joanna's Piano | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412127083_775076867794635_7117038358511070064_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xdRVFIAOfksAX9Jcyrx&_nc_oc=AQluYMygexR54u2S5DGk7jCiPGjLweXqUxL6uKNGwHYdgmKarF5tq4FdlX2fmXKHOi4&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDF6MONf5u71icclkQDq3vNMyDPAuP1e6XlUCFkiHkYVg&oe=65886CBC | person_profile | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊'𝚜 𝙿𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚘 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412103765_866707081710456_4508777274373081068_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p7U3QSthRBYAX9tbq7I&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxXCkGnFcahe52sdEy2jLuQKIu6HjSGZgev1NUAtm3vw&oe=6588B9D4 | 0 | 3 | ✨Te deseo el mejor de los años, que la salud, el amor, la fe y la generosidad te permitan lograr lo que más anhelas y todos tus sueños se hagan realidad 💫<br /> <br /> ¡Por fin! 👏🏼👏🏼 Ya puedes encontrar el vídeo entero de "O Holy Night" en YouTube 🎬 Te dejo el enlace en bio y storie 👆🏼<br /> <br /> Espero te guste, lo compartas con tus seres queridos y te suscribas al canal si aún no lo has hecho ✅<br /> <br /> ¡Feliz Navidad! 🎄🌎❤️<br /> <br /> #oholynight #christmas #merrychristmas #navidad #feliznavidad #villancico #music #piano #pianist #pianomusic #pianocover | Joanna's Piano | 212 | https://facebook.com/joannas.piano | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55494 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970784 | 65 | 729102898782563 | 1 | 8.1955520659284E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508615790427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806521 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412138634_332418086221565_6191504394971214481_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OrlOpHdL4sQAX_IhlIq&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDvZ3RPsK6k4PGWvlMnW--yeo4HQB6nlwwyjmL6wDfFWw&oe=65878F2F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412113061_1720066551833932_2361316143120556340_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xp31y6Kl7RMAX-ofUFz&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfABG5vENqVGXI0qEujoD9yNfRcDazTKso68_jYPcrA5Zw&oe=6587F2F8 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55621 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/17/24, 11:18 PM | 1703105771 | 1723954696 | 65 | 370773158942977 | 1 | 9.0033849486328E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063941550729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702611151 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411095847_1448419536071469_8096504923936410809_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SiWyqvLwpGUAX-ydttQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBfio2Ca2XJDf4gf22n5g4MeDq0QbsrgpdDkeedC8uNzA&oe=6588AD7B | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409769682_898102935371450_2695631451028856267_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=asLwzPNbCuQAX9sLnIY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdRPCPhWb7R8OWyIFYHmACzkghxzo5KtEJS06L87QEdA&oe=6588D508 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55610 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970784 | 65 | 260955053669049 | 2 | 6.60914542622E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205062511630729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702608714 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410667087_677055881224995_7887669237834669408_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j-cYpfpI-YsAX-ay0AW&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCTDBO7U-aSUPNa5h3heb41aBMDnjk2_b0bLqBQrOUS2w&oe=6588D286 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410779479_327890676681495_2558773091455641064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U7Mo_zhsRkoAX9U1P2M&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfB79AgzIsiXhFIcuCzJr1zMsQ2Pumg6FV8h3l0MLvOMSw&oe=6587A696 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55281 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970784 | 65 | 1056284422328863 | 1 | 9.0159122783035E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX-gSlu8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDNF871UkwG6wxwWxnPr6cW1497BPa83ihChFoSk0NpdA&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-5gwra&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_g-TkyVLYm4Qs6mq_yepUWj0o1YHVhm8PWCUNFZOb1A&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT1Yt4uxPuaJGmuIHLcBYzyMKxbZFPTswu0WIT_jkeJf_10y3EIViUw60_k1ald81h-sOm-mGQo5Z-rWQOxuOP1DvuUj86xH0hk1QnixRnMTuPBKDtEcbTThD7Z6mOxrcm-IEsrCEVTdKHdLdW41svmbeKYYhA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55269 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970784 | 65 | 1029809658230176 | 1 | 3.608106756127E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203644630710183 | No button | NONE | video | Enchanted Garden Center | 1702916425 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412306636_1574788183295622_6385438997999798605_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FGmnhJi-1GcAX9w07G7&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBrMWYlcU_jg1wnf1XxOD2C8B1GVHXNDDMDn8PlMOG0gQ&oe=6589377E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | With its rustic Texas flair and old country charm, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/enchantedforestrichmond">Enchanted Forest</a> has everything you need for your garden in the spring!<br /> <br /> This family-owned garden center is one of two. Their other garden center is called Enchanted Forest and is located in Richmond.<br /> <br /> I visited Enchanted Gardens over the weekend and was shocked at all they had to offer! Not only do they have the widest selection of plants, but their staff is the most knowledgeable I've seen. I walked out having learned so much!<br /> <br /> I'm serious guys, if you are planning on gardening in the spring, you have to check them out!<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55623 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970784 | 65 | 373103625396433 | 1 | 1.5129717561345E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063102720729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702609659 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410385471_1199265578143580_8430762394038477090_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gY1Rkpr1NA4AX8HsEnt&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmhRa1KjGIo7ydyTabErMKgEUPaagEAI2iz3zY8J3e7g&oe=6587BC8A | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409420379_377547198124733_39702471613153285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wPaV5aVvU0QAX-1i3ie&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8dwxI8QG2CIVaNvts0Whz9vTZIy4tZsTzvgzzde5tXQ&oe=65887498 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55627 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970784 | 65 | 660805029469700 | 1 | 8.8352844650864E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205062492250729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702608698 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410918881_932725475058324_3813125564012548014_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2SYc7rUS7KoAX8BwtwZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDz-q_BmxUZ0KspFZ-K6WnGrhyyyK-an5GIWrGZhN52QQ&oe=6587D889 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410956523_7737239936292497_7259401642308691081_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yR4Ko_itdUsAX-4CUiF&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlMeKg--uZWQTyoBi907uc3ZNC1OpqmMheQfLAreBUtw&oe=658759B9 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55447 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 1:57 PM | 1703105770 | 1723661837 | 65 | 872793727842273 | 1 | 9.2387670263831E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 753866531467703 | 0 | Joanna Crespo | 120203602658630551 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | Joanna Crespo | http://instagram.com/joannacresporeiki | 1702559818 | 7.538665314677E+14 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411197837_935633181394292_2637120368232236762_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_L7t17hddJEAX9sEyH7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_nuXlpbinL6Y-nDBzlzCmXb_lyMNOjU24tp6nFZTfEw&oe=658927FE | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411245513_703497405079987_2503533987503000439_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YrrDmJbjXGQAX-xu34i&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAx_d7rgPGNHeBBs8NUIl7Xsv7BHR7xf_3Lo-H2hRt1RA&oe=6587946E | 0 | 3 | Reflections from a spirit-care class this semester @naropau 🧡 🦋 | Joanna Crespo | 395 | https://facebook.com/JoannaCrespoReiki | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55285 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970785 | 65 | 702663271964377 | 6 | 1.5236034117624E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX_7d5_Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0xHFhidxRAQCFugejmKZHv77byLBYJTT7_j4fQKAvgw&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-FZJTx&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBclto2jWOf0t0cqqZXW5eCYAXPxFOijtz9v_Sk5hQIcw&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT0d_DnMrB1NmTYuBYbLrykcOHvzz0HQCklimvFVJJQszDxLCkUH46knMaTqZ0j3g3_x-CTt_WqOw2A5KqFIKYZo3HZ5_oOkR4Sbt1Jxxnkrwv1q49kC8qR68ekexNOQVg4a3FHcKyRFMcpaFJ5lnnJTJcg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55280 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970785 | 65 | 1089255102092524 | 7 | 8.7645791741112E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104283046272649 | 0 | Solid Sound Festival | 6585508452280 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611034 | 1703014969 | 1.0428304627265E+14 | Solid Sound Festival | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410032031_643940741285047_898063397504808738_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j2PN39FArskAX-qHWFe&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDhq3ZTkuhgc2KZ7IYFnEhLzxFwKfj2Zt7FeR42nWstUw&oe=65878897 | person_profile | 0 | Solid Sound | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411281987_271158222614626_9141740645766111879_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Njd-2rEXEhwAX9Btewm&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB02ccqg0yzlAFaoRZMXhf_CvD-pY0SHUr6eA-Pm0FwDg&oe=65883ADD | 0 | 3 | Your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT0HfgnTdeIv63pt2_bKQuJIM-WRxvRGxxAoaQTFFhfPlVJsGHElEzljjyxnMcuIs0P_3B7ILGa4I82vBxBsYxAefZev-vsv8ltCIBLoR46HkMxSKoTvOa4vLWU2ixmkR6GR60tQWje8dJY6ekgv4shraEzubw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Solid Sound Festival | 16345 | https://facebook.com/solidsoundfestival | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55868 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970785 | 65 | 1090146315349636 | 1 | 8.6666960516079E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220179740670 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449363 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410768755_267090626019349_9081311543969533993_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Baihsubnm60AX8KGrfU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBzEBUuDUXasparzik3nmZEWi75Sv1YSvhUbrDxkLa1iQ&oe=6589213A | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410794469_1060392522053375_8639602489542618154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PQsPiqBzRdMAX-IlDJ3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCz-1oEfZp6ACPPv9wHWPujJFkWZrflhsHm1wdZaDjd6g&oe=65890877 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56900 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970785 | 65 | 338194868840033 | 5 | 2.7834020851566E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779365580250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678775 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404286689_2650950335067980_8718050196012372022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T57PZ_o1Z7UAX8VpynF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFaQ38pAkT0L4X2MzcLaw5opIzOjcSAfItfCTMjodKVw&oe=658845FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56586 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970785 | 65 | 748305747118700 | 1 | 6.8499231674373E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105122141682658 | 0 | Readyer Lifestyle | 120201228247710261 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1701081705 | 1.0512214168266E+14 | Readyer Lifestyle | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406205356_894276391888236_4863255365001942255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iWAoL_k4p5QAX_6fXds&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDW8u1KoQczpiXh71Qd9HsdgP6J6Jx5QtAFloK-B6L0aQ&oe=658748D8 | person_profile | 0 | Readyer Lifestyle | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406183610_693385799436248_4009189366328808738_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SY1I0A1chJQAX8wMhCq&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0iSDPbLbYtd6-Z84iZS5CvDkw4iXhWuZUq9JqCrErYg&oe=658819AB | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Readyer Lifestyle | 4488 | https://facebook.com/ReadyerLifestyle | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55439 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970786 | 65 | 1363508754526786 | 1 | 6.6262377270006E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 149440964908731 | 0 | Xmasgift Store 63 | 120203132612620654 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls17?unisex-sweatshirt%3Fspsid=103166&color=black&size&product=unisex-sweatshirt | 1702888419 | 1.4944096490873E+14 | Xmasgift Store 63 | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412039454_1322766355041531_2970375526146566491_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=00-uc7_ATmsAX9sNGKY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMsH6qRsftBukPcakE98wCVHQQKYY2k0y8XVYeoQzXqA&oe=6587A2CE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls17%3Funisex-sweatshirt%253Fspsid%3D103166%26color%3Dblack%26size%26product%3Dunisex-sweatshirt&h=AT2vL8PFoAiUkefGMmn8wzauSGDe55KJ3wySPsQ5KFles-ijkvxFeAskxYGAm3CvV41ZWQXsEzYuFk2xUiVZCGgoCGvTNGi6FKc2Za8V66u_xNbes25FDK1Ij2e3wBOp-3mF9BvB_dqXDSY95rvCLeKsSLc" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls17?unisex-sweatshirt%3Fspsid=103166&color=black&size&product=unisex-sweatshirt</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0Aqf5q0Wc1nc3fYcWRn-DvKp0-M_mJw1FZDibGTvXPlpFEEIfz2kdin-3WR6curmOcD63M8Vmcg-6V6Li_vm7ZhyaVy9VIDdRW6HVU1CKOzKVJGsZ4vTLW1GFIQaIErABjqDapz_9CULkey28Hr4vRFb0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Xmasgift Store 63 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61552029025241 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56304 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970786 | 65 | 692321326332058 | 1 | 3.7990176448273E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458621170691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856166 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407736261_754865689802608_914252324138822229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=woISeeL_Z0EAX9uD0VB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmwkX5M7rcEokGYDnUE1RVtTPgQVbJvgIqGZekaxvtww&oe=65884E0F | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711909_884382323056607_5649972978349155871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x6VqRxad4TUAX_pPlKI&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC2de98541RDSu9lHgunQEXriLNDGfKuOEVcWeIMlDJng&oe=65876849 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56233 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970786 | 65 | 1295667341148235 | 7.37223603612E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 865633690313272 | 0 | Unbothered | 120201740567550660 | www.refinery29.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2023/12/11565917/baby-tate-pansexuality-blonde-new-music | 1701973724 | 8.6563369031327E+14 | Unbothered | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408854408_732390335445148_9051682135270771121_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bHjMTNWdNc4AX_Veqxl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOCWc2OrHfvFMTuzEO6Un3Ib-PqxhnKkn_3cqdeEfevQ&oe=65883475 | person_profile | 0 | Unbothered | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408907822_733896101978023_8477828859715679808_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FYLXuLvavtEAX9HnnF1&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDhkOHgtE8i33toYwyYNWramHIJHQQzOf6th6PbUwl8fw&oe=6587FF72 | 0 | 3 | 🗣 The Unbothered Zine is finally here featuring our amazing cover STAR ✨ @imbabytate! ✨ Tap in as the IT GIRL dives deep into duality, self expression and sexuality 😉. We know you don’t want to miss this amazing pop culture moment so head to our IG stories for the full story. 💖<br /> <br /> ___<br /> Photography: Ally Green @theallygreen<br /> Styling: Yety Akinola for Atelier Management @yetyakinola<br /> Hair: Shelby Swain for OPUS Beauty @theshelbyswain<br /> Makeup: Shadara Holmes for OPUS Beauty @shadaraholmes.mua<br /> Nails: Megan “Pink’s Artistry” Smith @pinksartistry<br /> Set Design: Samantha Margherita @smargherita<br /> DP: Joanna Thanh há Nguyen @jtngu<br /> Video Editing: David Rho @davidrhorho<br /> Digital Tech: Ed Cañas <br /> Photo Assistants: Avery Mulally, Obidi Nzeribe<br /> Wardrobe Assistant: Kaij<br /> Hair Assistants: Teyah, Nuni Aenon Bowie<br /> Set Assistant: Cody Rogers<br /> Production Assistant: Carrie Rivera<br /> <br /> DP: Joanna Thanh há Nguyen @jtngu Video Editing: David Rho @davidrhorho <br /> <br /> Cover Feature Writer: Ineye Komonibo @ineyekomo<br /> Cover Feature Editor: Kathleen Newman-Bremang @kathleennb<br /> Talent Management: Sandy Pierre @sandzp<br /> Director, Unbothered: Kimber Bowman @kimbernotkimberly<br /> Vice President, Unbothered: Chelsea Sanders @definitelynotchelsea <br /> <br /> Unbothered Social Team:<br /> Alexis Jackson @lexisjacks<br /> Maiya Carmichael @_mcqn<br /> Christa Eduafo @chreeeeeesta<br /> <br /> Unbothered Video Team:<br /> Jessika Hardy @jessikalyssa<br /> Rissa Papillion @bordeauxpapi<br /> <br /> Vice President, Brand Studio: Sarah Filippi @sarah_f___<br /> Design Director, Brand Studio: Andreina Carrillo @ndre<br /> Art Director, Brand Studio: Ben Tuber @bentuber<br /> Senior Designer, Brand Studio: Kali Concepcion @conrkali<br /> Senior Producer, Brand Studio: Agustina Gaviola @agustinagaviola | Unbothered | 5214 | https://facebook.com/r29unbothered | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56363 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970787 | 65 | 366545022536183 | 1 | 3.9328842303806E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 96087687589 | 0 | Steve Hedberg | 6515272902878 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/hedbergart | 1701705532 | 96087687589 | Steve Hedberg | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407757325_211273912018499_7245240708636249098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MnchIg3fyZMAX_0r_X_&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFWPDdTYOexOl4Gvw28hbu4MMrp-7VhN3nru2v9m8Kbw&oe=6588A579 | person_profile | 0 | Steve Hedberg 👴🏔🎨 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407471601_853678533121840_7169450851335505681_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ctLlzBmNjs8AX81x0P5&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB1FHW1St1oRGNMjU84nLHB3u27lF_s_SeJW6WTEAIOMw&oe=6589019A | 0 | 3 | HOLIDAY SALE ALERT! beep beep beep… come down to @cafezata and get a breakfast sandwich and coffee and tell John or Joanna you’d like AT LEAST half off. 52 percent off would be nice. And you will get it! These four pieces are on the wall and each $300. Message me for more info!<br /> <br /> #rvaartist #jamesriver #oilpainting #rva #richmondva | Steve Hedberg | 536 | https://facebook.com/stevehedberg | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55895 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970787 | 65 | 319331610998124 | 2.2562299381458E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501202293489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702330203 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408811307_862885218667439_2957123327191887770_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yjTviRDFQk0AX_pRuoF&_nc_oc=AQldZqEPZMJNL_9262r_GlTqAw7gHB6vYF-OvNCAjUdxeb7gVjvjQYr5FtiViacObRiCfD50aHKfDyDj9DusXkL0&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPIZVObcPB4JIIAen1u0T4aJsJAQwvJoLgEF6EB_lEag&oe=6587D64B | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408838735_733989174821357_3455163345064263658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9ZvOg0m-VSkAX_0y2Gk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDi3N9YrojxtwkAfDdG9OsU7d9BqdTxBQj4LVMTqP7rOg&oe=6588A543 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3DVfRkbmGQ_3pc1MbKn8AABeKzsap1aBrpkJ7p-0bBXflSEJgySIPbdrvpA-YUN3ZKKcxAFCj8wFybbQP_X_NcK2erNbuinRET3QocXSmDlgB8PWOmDL3agjBEn6JB7WxxVYdycO0ERoIgCryI0KUDZOmyCSoWAtVRBd_jjDs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55571 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 8:51 PM | 1703105771 | 1723686691 | 65 | 832837708529473 | 2 | 3.4787033128756E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751470506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636933 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410427712_1965443913838529_2180806422983087906_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5fsO_aXJOg4AX--HPzo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmtaqbdTWKttHEor0xOtXD5PJuB1-U1UmyBFYMky6rEA&oe=6587E4D2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410386976_6864385843643984_7274993062344003049_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=54UjKhAjQ4gAX9Hkr_J&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3873_CgbHtyPdWpEAg-wR33kqMHYAJ86ORWiS92z7Kg&oe=658927C1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56748 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970788 | 65 | 2039247023100491 | 1 | 8.7181772794013E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632221380115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796744 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404879781_306661032275499_8015898750098994883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0V2qgUoYCa4AX-qGi-C&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgD5kPHHHhfPUY0tC-vshH-Wq8Jf19tYAhSZCKWiqAgw&oe=65892C1F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404840655_1808064866291847_6161347477596004543_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KVhdEjz-r0wAX_DS1Dl&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUPj20sWwuaTT2xKAz77s8VaRWFHJIQk4ecPyJWVtrGw&oe=6587DDE8 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56815 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970791 | 65 | 749267300576382 | 1 | 6.6380099561637E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200341095640122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/n2ubobd0mpzo0eypph03lps0?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700807874 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405799288_682813460505901_7348153832684282672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F21A2h8vuxAAX8hJnDA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMxA1QK_QSy8s4t3BRNU0tA9Fb0SgYkFck0TTw8suMhA&oe=658813C4 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405527248_344676051478914_5880027157564102944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=guL2CUDYIGUAX-aSVKS&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDYXualdxFvLt26Uie_toEZlGxyDOUEduV0l3J7MN5uLA&oe=65882F3D | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56782 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970791 | 65 | 259638503426215 | 2 | 1.4054883300456E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220428380404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582700 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404267886_1276847346339764_247528616813828133_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=af4m77WWy8oAX9iuM6a&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfptNDo9YJvAlcIUlAiBY5JaKJT9aH_P8nNfFmBfkl0A&oe=6587FC92 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403752532_2282138165509344_5824682392500270455_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WrLHmuG1NKkAX8wfkBH&_nc_oc=AQkZ0i2VTMlPqt2PjEhAjwhmDZaEJlqCrfxQnXCfkLuws3pGyC728aSOpR2rkle16s8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCr0lcRh6Xk_Sdln402uvBNEQ1esMPqPcUGj-UdgxpvTA&oe=6587C91D | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56051 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 12:17 PM | 1703105776 | 1745342262 | 65 | 913604570200156 | 2 | 7.3828715763484E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498172560278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287774 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409129430_733649608822766_1013003183479207908_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9DM6bqBVR00AX9x3nBV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAlyVKIf3WWCwDbsb1QBcywEPG9VxGUAaYLWsq2J_UTSg&oe=658838AB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409202883_634184128916268_7278473264280025907_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MQmcAzMP7l4AX9djNVS&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCcEasfRrTkMVyX3oZRU4EpdZcSJS-Mw5WPEZ6wu5xtgA&oe=65892D32 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56942 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970792 | 65 | 1011282156652481 | 8.4403303105709E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114866079891340 | 0 | Trivia.com | 120200721167820167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679091 | 1.1486607989134E+14 | Trivia.com | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403062126_649605070587053_234047071631406610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-euXXFd5rD4AX-PZCIe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhMAdrvjQXVRPdd3CQBZ2PHzojk66VgkoK-csqVbezbg&oe=6587DA27 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com | 19814 | https://facebook.com/100063472063438 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56949 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/20/25, 8:50 PM | 1703105786 | 1745200235 | 65 | 876741057102289 | 5 | 1.6303717808225E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100377515694960 | 0 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 120200721515760167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679858 | 1.0037751569496E+14 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404272923_2572055626299902_3305460755590047071_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gy0C0zOkIEAX9b-aIQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCe2Ic8zbHsNvWRJMHf3ftb_zyGPkObfRdaFWwn-bkk7w&oe=6587EB21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 329 | https://facebook.com/100071723169364 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56412 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 7:12 PM | 1703105780 | 1746663134 | 65 | 311867725046632 | 1 | 8.6030122588072E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200804450600540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701495745 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406387197_900808618337670_6353386434631883273_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qFa9rM96O1AAX8hdg2O&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDQnUYWaDCrxeulbVhG0twlkaoYLuSCWqns7vOXDu0tqw&oe=6589348A | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406419037_397274625960821_7727559301709177553_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c2Ht3w8TDIMAX_Yd_ih&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBjZWmDmoZwLqnXW1I9sOXhslpx9XswwwHKxUGlF6_-hA&oe=65874B8F | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55326 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970792 | 65 | 897939388530773 | 1 | 1.4069138668923E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475558110743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976837 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411652299_2452434191631879_8127563902070033580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKkyPjrBNk4AX-B8p7h&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDIbF1ztPYrVp5sAR4-NK_rDL08aEqZhyvl5nSmivwLoQ&oe=6587711D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410527559_1734006163786235_4049002299136446530_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SJQJ7AzRoGoAX921olW&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCi4WoxytLS7Kwyhje1j2bsFzF9kyndqQgb5_xn-yuf3A&oe=65890A7E | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56574 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970792 | 65 | 1063009984786729 | 1 | 6.8636476658746E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300673880596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151759 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406045314_245765101850790_7109333137029915927_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jlhxA-sPymIAX8xS33d&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAsYg56GFd4D0JlFaWUUbxtj6zkvHoUf9hvRzq8p0PzXg&oe=6587D476 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406043636_1635602820180539_6111146972643432848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WmqTN2fIqpsAX9AsfrN&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDAMnG1Zto9_fBUcJssQQWERtpdCYoSvh4JwnNhnb0-YQ&oe=65889504 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56921 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970793 | 65 | 645600740984746 | 5 | 1.0156560028262E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721035170167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678881 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403723303_340445045354355_4047403071000238198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBZ7kHTb8TwAX_YqZ-l&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_kMOhkz94A5Xnx9h01p8Pw_QFf8pkL9p979rzFjaL8w&oe=658873C3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56897 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/27/25, 10:23 PM | 1703105785 | 1745810594 | 65 | 309290698692082 | 5 | 1.4784743894358E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721418430167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679704 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404571232_367729272457304_8979649860983857110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CIzFRI5dzqcAX9YeW-A&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAx0YczvAb-MG8UtIvH8qkqDwzCYe7NkNljVlPPoDtt7g&oe=6588BF33 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56252 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/30/24, 4:57 PM | 1703105778 | 1725055047 | 65 | 747972714017019 | 1 | 1.5757001165783E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997426720476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701941022 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406744174_254791870947152_7997994032881800966_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zN-ROMGcrFEAX9hTy_K&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfukNoXDk3StUYAeFnIRUBWnwmE3lqzWL7FwCJxtt4jw&oe=658791D7 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406724532_327179356880452_1904190103744294370_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Una4C_mtf7cAX-082OB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA00pCcAcoULJOGJIwMIoGIMqrUGB8PmNYzXGep7MNINg&oe=6587A5F9 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56651 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970793 | 65 | 888082362873197 | 1 | 1.4116826530318E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690717330115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055867 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406006430_336297289133274_5715085223503010584_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DygxIj4v_9kAX-EB4ov&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBp32maPri1r_1mZzJz1xHCZnxErviqms5U1dk5dcfaqg&oe=65884531 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406006759_1417192985810539_3604065437752290063_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ORQn4nCsfUgAX-JutPg&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAErO-aPQ1ZuU9W_btxcM0HeJBvgLlayibeoM0-Wz6PiQ&oe=6588379A | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55549 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970793 | 65 | 1723550394809071 | 9.0481120115712E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774769450385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633136 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410196708_217678431299117_2141635223489200214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i7n_Ga4RLYYAX_qbC9A&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB7Io4CE81r15K-SRT65JmpSBWDzWkKjF0TliMU_l6eww&oe=658799C8 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410113837_733171738862435_445818067181560746_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EW5xWf3KCwoAX-29mIW&_nc_oc=AQnV5EQftG40Q92qwizP7DSjlvfjuOZvr_6IMKmH7-j9yaahGpDo-3-P99UejnsTFqw&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBSQGzhFcxtIXpBpP5VB_LMZgy40C3aFvQDNJX1ne7UHA&oe=658753C7 | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56091 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970793 | 65 | 186459924543212 | 1 | 1.4239830952053E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259949670476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181102 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408729937_6995228807230552_6607582070081710258_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E4et3MFIrW0AX9IWRUg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8m6e5Qm9rsTymNwNkrWGuTcHzS5GUpjzwsRBTLa-z0Q&oe=658842EB | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409179331_315782541431822_99829202162456751_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TX69oCQp-l8AX_V5Nso&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDSbq3RJGj2CzNenoi22MnyW5OYy1pVwhOoLqjAHOEepg&oe=6589196C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56260 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970793 | 65 | 300563855633303 | 1 | 3.534290139605E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997304830476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940760 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406397111_723186759361486_6680775637281615284_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NyzCF2xjTn4AX9PcdHF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDZUUGkL1CTc7gRkTZWdn1LCxYOetbvDN3sDMMibzvsBQ&oe=658759DB | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406421836_1046977143177760_7370574588309776991_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LNG-7DxiunoAX8Atvdu&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBEV03kyk1YMEwXdgpDUjU3akaa43R_1fijfpNP1YsTPw&oe=65877B48 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56106 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970793 | 65 | 1395698708017992 | 1 | 7.8269179361661E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259667160476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181010 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923516_377072781361274_5133095470818045905_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o-NSeBrc9cMAX8aFVLI&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCa34AM_g1EQxfNaZxfl8BstCnJvJrRuEvv2e4Uo2iBMQ&oe=6587C7CE | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409963493_376144534977378_6169876220276548018_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iyOphu3vIwsAX9zZTTf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJESO0QMhO_Bif-SECl5jBPk0EDsDdNiQORkAZ5Fq7DQ&oe=6588769B | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56013 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970793 | 65 | 1399914190595441 | 1 | 3.705851556217E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 611376102330036 | 0 | Instant Church Directory Online | 120203055750740100 | blog.instantchurchdirectory.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Consider a church directory | Instant Church Directory Blog | Explore 6 reasons why your church should consider a membership directory as a valuable resource for your members, staff, and greater community. | https://blog.instantchurchdirectory.com/6-reasons-to-create-a-church-directory/ | 1702316453 | 6.1137610233004E+14 | Instant Church Directory Online | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410001880_340321408722387_1454929540380927430_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nypt4hcqFQ4AX8FdOEq&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAmHP3qow3EgEzYlrLmi0Kjcj99xvJiKicZBySsMkDTkA&oe=6587FED4 | person_profile | 0 | Instant Church Directory Onlin | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408856899_374666335220977_2197393819744552684_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hQIi_lt6Vc0AX9TRP7q&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA49xzrH7S_quSCk2FQ1pbX9qVgqIQFanpcI5tpB5KA4w&oe=6588C33F | 0 | 3 | Does your church have a membership directory? 📸📘📱<br /> With the new year approaching, there's not a better time to consider if this resource would be of value to your congregation and staff. Our blog post provides 6 reasons why you should consider a church directory. Read on for more… | Instant Church Directory Online | 546 | https://facebook.com/InstantChurchDirectory | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55518 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970793 | 65 | 1306332066739237 | 1 | 8.5960942924984E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765571020465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702214 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409835378_1465409674034812_2632701869489335095_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-FrkRvnRjrAAX9PxuhY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCXhNWjsbkX1FreXM0shS0s6QfNrN2YvIyF2LSk0Ab2Jg&oe=658767FA | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409806819_1078111760010223_4859992656989455970_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lVpe0qb3G4MAX-OZ3kc&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAMqM8QR1QqHyuNYO3Hco5ifCIp4lVrvQj6dtFfglEFlg&oe=6588B692 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55466 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970794 | 65 | 324177803751959 | 1 | 7.2753889825495E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 111887705541579 | 0 | Solbakken On Superior | 120203888120250004 | Call Now | NONE | multi_images | 1702852087 | 1.1188770554158E+14 | Solbakken On Superior | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412151807_1406372700259387_3007139605766378163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ktQSfo8zj64AX9R5M1i&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBxthBqgTxvoHL0Cov7GRREWICB3hPQ_Ne9nVx5CbvsMA&oe=65893734 | person_profile | 0 | Solbakken on Superior Resort | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412161192_1077098027065757_1325394983802841611_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KAx1hWWnuWgAX_43mDA&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNDTrNFOIfjaXDbKvqUMmiiY6Suv7xfPIdQ68uaXvSCw&oe=658800D2 | 0 | 3 | Solbakken on Superior is proud to Sponsor Joanna Oberg, the 2022 Beargrease Half Marathon winner, for the 2023 season. This year's races for Joanna and her dogs are the John Beargrease, the Gunflint Mail Run, The Lake Minnesota Klondike Day Derby, and the Midnight Run in Marquette, MI.<br /> <br /> Joanna trains her dogs in Grand Marais by Devils Track in the fall and winter and helps manage the family resort, Agimac River Outfitters, in Ignace, Ontario, in the summer.<br /> <br /> Let's all pray for some snow and wish Joanna luck during this racing season! | Solbakken On Superior | 2843 | https://facebook.com/SolbakkenResort | 0 | CALL_NOW | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56864 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970794 | 65 | 3339907152967197 | 2 | 5.5695967498318E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611862280115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722791 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404634303_1076535106690511_4197783080033298269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FgPBR3jHXecAX_eELqC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJdwVKT5XAJwo7Ud0_HG6lHpH-Fz8Zbk2Dnm_UftDhZg&oe=658888C9 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403057339_1077287850111599_7105981100582858647_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wC1raL_7nAkAX8FGGdo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBcGrLyjqFG6ShqZB1LvJA_2prhqIzhCXqwbOcRvb6DbQ&oe=6587E46B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56526 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970794 | 65 | 378145107969832 | 3 | 1.0024689641623E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748959490115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227677 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405965663_2134306270246680_5926044712185194058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PaN3AzXuP6YAX-dxeWP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDVT6pYvnWOeBp7dlRc2pMJYXhBFsULVIP2KkKIAfIR4A&oe=6588843F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406208694_1394841818119015_3207901412353027115_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7_8RWAFD1tQAX_fRAGz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDpnCsA_vKGnwinTAoBCNPMxftXy8QJi3udkPuUjuL2lQ&oe=65888FA9 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55973 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970794 | 65 | 906345374211758 | 1 | 1.0999272511686E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143609520670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702375044 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410389455_924804545651925_1499202031130049938_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HR16QRn4cE8AX_42fh4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA_Jx36Tfs6EG5C8XdDlryBaOWc95ZFAdep1QmqEEIGHQ&oe=65891D12 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409668213_868917011627541_7865702827870431171_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sqB5QghzsEAAX-6VLJt&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_YFsWKqkee56JLKDP8ewjNzpYF-fz5-bC7inDK_xZ7A&oe=6588A577 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56379 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970794 | 65 | 1099515181228228 | 2 | 2.8484499086294E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100416769039566 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 120202285831390275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667518 | 1.0041676903957E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407330042_1332979310943397_1569380716656116607_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q714j_QZdyEAX9XwuyP&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHv8pRt4lZwir69qT3tb31W3yCsK_pQ-rBKqP4Bq2ViQ&oe=65884022 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 5454 | https://facebook.com/lifestylea2z.spanish | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56029 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970794 | 65 | 691769333065865 | 1 | 2.2524006060346E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107484338786638 | 0 | The Good Life | 120202375524660121 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702294024 | 1.0748433878664E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408845504_2103846626639136_1083973787737358249_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=trHLcYYq09wAX8ieBiU&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDlHv2Gm2TpSTJaR81jE70ncQEdSfhOybIGdtpAdCDQfQ&oe=65884253 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | The Good Life | 1832 | https://facebook.com/100086048831352 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56089 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970794 | 65 | 347636324550216 | 1 | 3.6749870585176E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202100281480180 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702189608 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406803705_1187616338866223_2942323859668456524_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8AQdLSuVsT8AX-W4kBW&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAsyDovCqu3JL4TjVF33Y59ZeQyhDorn7vxthoCiP8p3Q&oe=6587DBE8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406851703_384495927356907_1510678676202578876_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hq0kOn-exw0AX86MdOG&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_7a3lErmNfQhHnI-FChBTb88MFtSroV7L44HqO_qdKw&oe=6588DC4B | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55857 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970794 | 65 | 676534534692686 | 1 | 1.7442205327213E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434519330465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447716 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409906385_366499669270673_5699358533278276044_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tyJ87Cx5UvwAX8F5UX4&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDY6vrDBsdyaDEXxhZAmUo1oz2rdgzxAhz3c9gSdA5Fjw&oe=6587490E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409963272_1293971191313479_8473361862788354558_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B0uaWpKdfuIAX-LAg6t&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnzIpug34jf7rmbRcqB8hVFjCuhrbN5-eIu2jEiF4RUg&oe=65881080 | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55903 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970794 | 65 | 293821710279185 | 1.0483882328744E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501141778489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702317829 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409587697_899947597833791_7048893882217724758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EGtCTTyIRS4AX-Uv3os&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZgYp3tXnZnTV9CI-eLXRn5L7pBWXhyBDhUjm16ewnkQ&oe=65886E7C | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409575933_1382250422399672_2088497729922810301_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dgaeSqbt3q0AX9VawyF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB22jjU89nhi9w63OFhY6_jXS2sl-aOzPk5798x4QRp2A&oe=6588C486 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT29Sv1OP5l51dJ6zMtt6XG1JjJ2blz482vaeSG7KGcb1SCEqZ4LE9bGzXGPoPlUp40K0uqacRqp9N1XqRynvBIquqYpWA05z21RO0958CiyWBwLoS9BRxNvevbY-QfLiB9Q44PkRZa0TOxBP55gBOlV5CrS_vAtWj_KxT0aF24" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55946 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970794 | 65 | 306830735650699 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207705910170456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389455 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410577953_1408585943058975_1875657578831273746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6jBpI6-f4n0AX9AmQCk&_nc_oc=AQk0veyqp5lciWTtyrjeSsK48DMHEQaElM2nvDblqV_vaXYnrvm86j_hzMKufTVcOJrtWMq7hGSbE0DmdEI71Kv1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDW5QkgVWhj9FYdXhnVK8RI-8JrTMzD4JyCsYrGMs3PxQ&oe=65891356 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410757426_283240954259838_333447386647059446_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AvQUC308xXEAX_pbfkq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6c9kKJScaP0XPz_wNGEFa4o5Kh8wCmOfHx_itqxViQA&oe=65885E06 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55434 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 5:28 PM | 1703105769 | 1743546489 | 65 | 3468071606746680 | 4 | 2.5441264411326E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108401345691237 | 0 | JoyReels | 120204071184640210 | api.joyreels.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Love Born From A Contract | https://api.joyreels.com/app/publicity-links/737?channel=facebook&ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702896368 | 1.0840134569124E+14 | JoyReels | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412367675_3156528821157673_5054694804893044467_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3YQtMzy8N9UAX_IJlVu&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCi3_1eUNjfdBJgLS8Obu19yZR-Q-G89QsYe7v5HgQngA&oe=65884FAB | person_profile | 0 | JoyReels | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412363309_729340445426228_8693302363106041966_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0nFLK7sPEuMAX_6kHj6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPyjUqsnVC5vnF1S8jSYJHgZgGuTN74pO5pu2UXD4Qlw&oe=658839EF | 0 | 3 | Please don't stop! She begs as I crawl on top of her. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively and I could feel a strong heat between my legs... I'm about to lose it...<br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> It's really good, I couldn't stop watching it in one sitting, it's worth watching many times!Love Born From A Contract | JoyReels | 81 | https://facebook.com/61550637441013 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56112 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970794 | 65 | 729064905945782 | 1 | 3.6432843493325E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 378161328919010 | 0 | Topeka Chapter of The Links, Inc. | 6524471495406 | Send WhatsApp message | NONE | image | 1702170542 | 3.7816132891901E+14 | Topeka Chapter of The Links, Inc. | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408141640_882738209810106_4816104332318714056_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iBBlK0li2RIAX8LMfDs&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDHI84Np_223e2fyLylXpIg7gQ1EU7qmtkBWN7tWTYnLg&oe=65876E7F | person_profile | 0 | Topeka Chapter of The Links, I | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408109559_7182172971838673_6653775190291637296_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R0dITeycqwQAX8hxRKM&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBi2YGl0lm5igZmqgTe5OELk9lYnoZNGI0o4P5LB9zoPw&oe=658875D2 | 0 | 3 | Auditions were Amazing!!!! We have incredibly talented people in the Community and we are grateful for the huge response and love this project has received. Thank you to all who came out to audition for Director Dr. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharon.l.sullivan.52">Sharon L. Sullivan</a>. <br /> <br /> We extend a heartfelt and proud super-duper CONGRATULATIONS to the Cast of BROTHERS OF THE DUST:<br /> <br /> Roy Colton - Jason Brock Jones<br /> Mayetta Colton - Khalani Britt<br /> Jack Colton - Nyalia Lui<br /> Wilson Colton - Dané Raphael Shobe<br /> Nella Colton - JoAnna Marks<br /> Ollie Colton - Elijah Reed<br /> Audra Thorpe - Laressa Kelpin <br /> <br /> Thank you to everyone who took the time to prepare and come out to be with us. You are amazing. | Topeka Chapter of The Links, Inc. | 1275 | https://facebook.com/100064488288350 | 0 | WHATSAPP_MESSAGE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56413 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970795 | 65 | 630123909096574 | 1 | 2.6627493372138E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 93510889173 | 0 | Beck's Shoes Inc. | 120201199047990265 | beckshoes.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Beck's Shoes Inc. | https://www.beckshoes.com/brands/spring-step-lartiste | 1701481634 | 93510889173 | Beck's Shoes Inc. | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407342277_1380999375834520_3048382477008551002_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lvPxGmKzqF4AX9Lt5hc&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCBFb0lG00YfY8KuXvaKGxf5pVWkFNDra6iShTkD8ptKg&oe=65888E04 | person_profile | 0 | Beck's Shoes | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407236895_1090954885406614_7494430308619563203_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8rxdtkhiNEkAX8jzdXA&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCX41Q4nsTy_ypaNs9R2xWpIYcL9YEaRB7CSW_2tES_nA&oe=65877C5F | 0 | 3 | Step into the holiday season in style with chic dress shoes and cozy warm boots from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Springstep/61552107931174/">Springstep</a> and L'Artiste by Spring Step at Beck's Shoes! Hurry, grab your favorite pair today and make a fashion statement. Happy Holidays from our family at Beck's to yours! 🎄👠🥾 #HolidayShopping #WinterFashion #BeckShoes #ThanksgivingOutfit #ChristmasOutfit #HolidayShoes #SpringStep #Lartiste | Beck's Shoes Inc. | 4732 | https://facebook.com/BeckShoes | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55723 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970795 | 65 | 2346885962183042 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 149307721590609 | 0 | Yacht & Cadillacs | 120202128913430458 | yachtsandcars.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.yachtsandcars.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702471906 | 1.4930772159061E+14 | Yacht & Cadillacs | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699339_7186015234824935_5238124261964643541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ek4kypub66cAX-ucG2T&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYWOxJlma7CuNGcZDgzi4Os3fQ1eshHTXU2R7DwMDpGA&oe=6588F04C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Yacht & Cadillacs | 102 | https://facebook.com/61551661572082 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55898 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/8/24, 11:20 PM | 1703105774 | 1723177229 | 65 | 763140392417071 | 4 | 8.470059204479E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501559303689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428426 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410347847_712998117424787_8592080404462905491_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kBL6HDgVqowAX8m2j9i&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBlr9zZXTZa9kER1k29wLWAwJnEgAffd9Y12Vjw9ZpAgg&oe=65884751 | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409318747_269380442787577_1287720215258823242_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ghTQ7fBbo7EAX8pAfJH&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAP2_FWLp-X1SgSAsznVxqsjlPFNo92rIgEoYZGv7vK7A&oe=6587F354 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT1POBj16DE6f-c84rQJtGFtMdSccBV9NUC-bGgtLzIVP1VDuq7iOa9FOApbVtLaMFXsLvfiGHU83csDT_KBmN1B_OCAERQ6pgutdKYqN1jy9S3qv7qL714YiMI9WgzCz9OFq7MffzTgdJH4WQ9g2FnCeci60w9XjqFMGtrJstI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56328 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970795 | 65 | 875417024258767 | 1 | 3.4695849865926E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103234291544469 | 0 | Awesome People | 120203670400520409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1701772905 | 1.0323429154447E+14 | Awesome People | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407671811_732922021553238_4348929524324103139_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eiOpz1dsB64AX-BVU0-&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdTGh6MGeaeNYgGNmtfF19y4Ja4XJW8YTMkF8pzut-UA&oe=6588CEEA | person_profile | 0 | Awesome People | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407940111_299865599698979_7192913768591487452_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SycNq6K5R_8AX_WR9uH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpscAH5KFnk5dxoTlp_hzM65p0Zi6YFuTnX_T5nq-Xqg&oe=65876808 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Awesome People | 83 | https://facebook.com/AwesomePeopleFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56567 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970795 | 65 | 874296980963512 | 1 | 6.9190249301095E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300693620596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151775 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406093913_881513359900908_1481433023491070149_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hedwVp3CYyYAX8hPLFF&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD9ed86H80IMA9EqFEe0PH3Fh8rvDjHSXOQ9BAccVmx6w&oe=6588E0DA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404808341_1383357952613420_5385190200827044806_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p3cQ_NV0J6kAX_PKde_&_nc_oc=AQkk1NxtpGFxUAIhl6TnsfvV5tXQG4yP4Gf6Xp7E0Chi-T7jpekdjj-WF18D3NlTRS8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC4P0OqbdfJCf1JWB5mgS7JoXwRJ2XV8lejKVZbxuOSFw&oe=65893BE5 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55918 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970796 | 65 | 851095450048881 | 3.5401332059324E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 628160127204842 | 0 | Current Joys | 6501554747889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | https://www.kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427327 | 6.2816012720484E+14 | Current Joys | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409582721_1076602453762996_6173764169807088731_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eZRYH-r88bgAX9SAmxO&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD3kx-SwjsZoIvWf44ANssUWhXc4FfuyZyiKD8812jnYw&oe=6587561F | person_profile | 0 | Nick Rattigan | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409734708_189395500917003_5872041899553717503_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6D0ybCk5O6MAX_tHLf9&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLisqqy-tnAVaEWh7UltoPluH5ogKbLrX7PFAJtFyenQ&oe=6588A301 | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024!<br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2bIKIwzI0svxQ556quh7WfDTzvTvS1yDqS2DUwjc9HjXyCkBoUWi4uEhSJkqRLcemKuiRHIrn_phe2dHSSbnHrYgdNkd7UbCuIgsoZRU3zc74DuZlB7LAvIrvWvCdvwdmM_Rruk2C82MwGgIQee_WETxknHNiUMrMi3A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Current Joys | 34308 | https://facebook.com/currentjoys | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56000 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 4:57 PM | 1703105775 | 1743112665 | 65 | 348982187740398 | 5.3379437696631E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 117907238242240 | 0 | Songleader Boot Camp | 120202760070460633 | NONE | video | Book Your Flights for SLBC ‘24! Learn with amazing artist and educators! | 1702349844 | 1.1790723824224E+14 | Songleader Boot Camp | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410385495_838223701383215_5603748579043757238_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l00q5lvrlfsAX9HEYp3&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCa9gVDa-hteKi19DzdDwf6mbgoYstYt_s1WN6noa7PeQ&oe=6587E29E | person_profile | 0 | Songleader Boot Camp | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410373534_389168640133741_625667158406177795_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q0wHW2fKinMAX_gC0LM&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDE4yf7MEASCCtmYRdBIYl2YTAH1k_6fS9lezHj9wn3MA&oe=65876133 | 0 | 3 | Joining us in St. Louis for SLBC ’24?? BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS and say “EYE AM ready to learn!” with these incredible educators, thought-leaders, and artists at the 2024 SLBC National Conference (Feb 18-20 in St. Louis)!! Register today at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsongleaderbootcamp.com%2Fregister&h=AT1HN5Np-2ig5rEPYH4roYewesFNz9JZ6-gRJImuEKHHvcWYM3lrsBYz9a2eX_QL6dTGCubIXX8N3Z4yA70NfB146Ke4QnqZ3YxkZfdzPHc9AMtm9nmidqC0FwDaAM3puZI784aMGZdZFMxl-RllsQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">songleaderbootcamp.com/register</a><br /> <br /> Featuring Cantor Laurie Akers, Rob Aronson, Shira Berkowitz, Rabbi Cecelia Beyer, Rabbi Joe Black, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Joe Buchanan, Matthew Check, Rabbi Noah Diamondstein, Hazzan Joanna Dulkin, Zoey Fleisher, Carla Friend, Rabbi Brad Horwitz, Rabbi David Ingber, Billy Jonas, Shira Kline, Charlie Kramer, Jacob Spike Kraus, Rabbi Sandra Lawson, Eliana Light, Rabbi Jackson Mercer, Rabbi Myra Meskin, Chava Mirel, Craig Parks, Mikey Pauker, Elisa Heiligman Recht, Rick Recht, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky… and MORE!<br /> <br /> >> REGISTER TODAY at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsongleaderbootcamp.com%2Fregister&h=AT0gzK6wBtZpMxrYI0slW6FLDQgROk7NqTXKp1NCfpUmrkdxU3TtTUCRCPFN3wZ9IIHNHR6r6gbdOEmNBQp9Wb-0mYnK73EcC8ViaV8Fy4irWgu9TIIGu2wlDAgzI29WLFEFVLLlMdHV16mPrCvOww" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">songleaderbootcamp.com/register</a> | Songleader Boot Camp | 3251 | https://facebook.com/songleaderbootcamp | 0 | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56043 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970797 | 65 | 873330597833376 | 1 | 2.5833579551485E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498191320278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287800 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410314398_910034596710472_5221271736908185645_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Py1NZjrjloAX-IFiw8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtcntQm98M7IK05hL-6Q9aG1XdSTzSz-AgC5AjnXG0PA&oe=65884824 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410143368_1378175143076425_7075409625372991998_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0gwRPRXFxn0AX9gityY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAZJlIjmmW76vc6qi11GYJblEBBU_BwJj_cBCp7AcjEhw&oe=6587FBA0 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56641 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970797 | 65 | 712959880454793 | 2 | 3.2071576089619E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690716090115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055859 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403706057_309803232009149_8735315272160169684_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gBKy98M6C3cAX9dWbsn&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBzVQZlwoUc4-vaNeaGLevMg7SFNOoO2r2rVsYVpsPMsA&oe=6589082D | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403744670_1340256086687948_899042395368502648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nh8yt-Xy3vQAX_8b-wR&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYFjIIPKVjoF6Bmo56IcxOel1DPszaEByKprxYzTaNnQ&oe=6587E38F | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56919 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970797 | 65 | 706182371179609 | 6.8907228669931E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721075470167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678939 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDpANmVtKC4AX8h6Tp8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6SoWFW329POs3qMQcQ18vFx-EGMLmInqXadmv3Wu-Ig&oe=6587A16B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56967 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/2/25, 12:41 AM | 1703105786 | 1738478465 | 65 | 3270557689917050 | 1.442981893229E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201779378060250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678825 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478384_307379925475582_6668460916514100970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vdNMyEbD_1IAX8ITtXy&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC6pjAQIipQyOGS8JmQ-dnJa2pHDVGqQgbXaUAWkQf07Q&oe=6588A135 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55995 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970797 | 65 | 678417037755144 | 1 | 1.0776544632472E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201678607740743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702368376 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408171320_391529956542584_2915305699743839918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GRTfpQKfDyYAX8iC8c7&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC67G113Koqwk6jpZbQFJ2tYBdC7VRM43xmkT-ndn4mHg&oe=65881D92 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408172208_361342393249117_7494532618516345806_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CwqOI4Aa1U8AX-Do7Mj&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB2ls_4R2X4PUfNdHyxGHm3I3xDk_k1Q5fm0anpUu98hg&oe=6588705A | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56913 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970797 | 65 | 361902263169099 | 5 | 8.6183418227823E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779111620250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678187 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619723_1061366564892535_5544603005193099836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CJsQ5x3dQlgAX8JE80T&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAh0TU1CaGL8KRe3qqhAWnGUQ3Dm7jIwKyX-pdv9SAaUg&oe=658876C4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56104 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 9:29 PM | 1703105776 | 1747621769 | 65 | 913153200483355 | 1 | 3.7674559146553E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259963900476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181046 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406474548_1410485276487738_4771349297374507770_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q2dlOUXfSesAX-O94mk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA1MP6MVRwzMmwq-EbrQF9vyjcXJ2NN4X806edSqru9TQ&oe=658784F3 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409486133_138526336021763_6265351276910870611_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_sw0l71lXqcAX_wjMWa&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAc3PgO3fZ2PZZmPy9afNTqXZeg6Zq2O5WBbHOtdD4R8g&oe=65880D59 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56980 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 9:44 AM | 1703105786 | 1746801859 | 65 | 1494619837995425 | 5 | 6.8579776031172E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779358230250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678748 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404275079_681458767299748_350875266989297425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0G9UJq-pK7UAX_qUGb_&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKKqa7FY-_-sx7-QbS9B7G-5FaObxqdCyGAzEagwEnhQ&oe=6588E8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55270 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970798 | 65 | 228642810179420 | 1 | 3.4761581789911E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 129043333619048 | 0 | Joanna James | 120202102993680187 | NONE | video | 1702899480 | 1.2904333361905E+14 | Joanna James | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412140581_1052982795951472_5527110944218733358_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DxOZWwNYsOkAX-4suy4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPp3CoVUoblB49YZpywGcCdFMWM45P0SBH1D5_nDK83w&oe=65886483 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna James | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412160563_912013803644646_3107154228487997331_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1qetLFs18WsAX_ezjgl&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzB59OX5Kr82RxRi2EPK0hGQ8oykn2NNOL1kcMY0L9PA&oe=6588C9DB | 0 | 3 | Deep within us lies the incredible power to heal ourselves. 🌟✨<br /> <br /> Belief Coding®️ isn't just a method; it's an empowering journey of self-discovery and healing.<br /> <br /> It's about rewiring the beliefs that are be holding you back, rewriting the narratives that limit your potential, and unleashing the boundless strength that you have within.<br /> <br /> Imagine a life where you hold the pen to your story, where limiting beliefs no longer dictate the narrative. Belief Coding®️ is your guide to reshaping your reality, stepping into authenticity, and embracing a life aligned with your true self 🥰<br /> <br /> If you've ever wanted to dive into self-discovery, to break free from limiting beliefs and to embark on a journey of fast & profound healing from within, Belief Coding®️ is for you.<br /> <br /> Send me a DM to find out more!💫✨ | Joanna James | 11 | https://facebook.com/61551032757689 | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56635 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 9:27 AM | 1703105782 | 1747146439 | 65 | 374700871656344 | 4 | 3.0682463877523E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690730480115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055908 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405204144_902043210897281_2884535976133544861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7c1QaCeVdSEAX_kZRZY&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCR9fMCEoNW1B185J0zm8YKhPurIUJk3UzTjhhGAdip-A&oe=658907C7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404597714_867950945004280_6164947520785781302_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EfXEd7VepxIAX-4jt32&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9Sh4qeNnnAIqFvYPHi1eCZ1kuSdc9Gc-bNdV7whwePg&oe=658778A1 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56672 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 9:22 AM | 1703105783 | 1747318949 | 65 | 308809095384150 | 5 | 5.7974953763093E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145446710740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | World Exclusive: Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence for the First Time. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806385 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405541407_1313486329302849_3737115640709666905_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FuACAMfCMR8AX-8qnK4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAiPtKluY1CfSTNq6ni46UNp5EdIk8LefKfr_WtxvygFQ&oe=6588DB25 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Untold Story: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband, Spilling Behind-the-Scenes Show Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56670 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 12:28 PM | 1703105783 | 1746206891 | 65 | 699858528787416 | 8.7190420110368E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145417600740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking Silence: Joanna Gaines Shares Her Voice with the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806344 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403627119_1024180995483194_6443324319636056802_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dd8Gdrk9_iMAX9Th1zH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBGbITAAPBXobaYwejNRSlX9aEsmP__Lxl3Jqe7Mys6XQ&oe=658875F9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long Kept Secret: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband as Behind-the-Scenes Show Drama Unveils. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56366 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970798 | 65 | 700687598686535 | 8.7782916725369E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 122592520767444 | 0 | Airboosts | 120202122350760782 | Send message | NONE | video | Message us here 👉🏼 | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"ctm_lead_gen_new","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?"},{"title":"Can you tell me more about your ad?"},{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?"}],"quick_replies":[],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"image_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"template","payload":{"template_type":"generic","elements":[{"title":"","buttons":[]}]}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"video_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"video","payload":{"attachment_id":""}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi, {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"visual_editor_new","ctm_lead_gen_template_id":"281762424850452","template_id":"885401392819527"} | 1701704874 | 1.2259252076744E+14 | Airboosts | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407877989_291726109937404_7153169024939920890_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OQQkbzAZrcAAX-cBUcu&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCgWV9lmwMs-PvbSpXjfawlCmiaEcCsVIsWbKDAS21UlQ&oe=65892FFB | person_profile | 0 | Airboosts | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407745291_749416807231065_5536794603987378400_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aEpIgaQ2BIEAX-qpsgF&_nc_oc=AQlYhZMPfPN9nGY0RVytjVJt5mpjiuUO1ZUTCkkr1myRWUOQBRRL0z66kzAx4wH1aCY&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBz1RkJusLUaWdyoIOCtpwWC_gDOz_A_EYO4YpH-T5UqQ&oe=65893C19 | 0 | 3 | Airbnb hosts with beautiful properties, do you want to maximize your Airbnb listings potential? 🏠<br /> <br /> We specialize in optimizing your listings for maximum potential, from full story-telling descriptions to captivating photo captions and titles, all perfectly aligned with the algorithm.<br /> <br /> Here's our bold promise:<br /> ✅ If you don't fall in love with your new listing, we won't rest until you do.<br /> <br /> Ready to join the other 94+ hosts & 164+ listings we have helped since February and to maximize your Airbnb listings?<br /> <br /> - Susan: “We are up to 10 bookings - what the heck! I’m so glad but geepers, you’re good lol”<br /> <br /> - Joanna: “I can’t stop looking over how great it looks. I have another listing and was wondering if you could help me with this one as well”<br /> <br /> - Brian: “Before your help when I searched for my property we were about two pages down. Today the same search lists us at #1! Fantastic result”<br /> <br /> - Ann: “Lewis, you just made my day! Thank you. These changes are wonderful, are you up to doing a few more of my listings?”<br /> <br /> - Nikki: “Airboosts did a phenomenal job rewriting and creating descriptions for our listing, they constructed a vibe through words that we were lacking and desperately needed. Highly recommend!”<br /> <br /> Message us now to book our "Listing Optimization Boost" and watch your Airbnb presence transform! 📩💪🏼 | Airboosts | 55 | https://facebook.com/Airboosts | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56834 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970798 | 65 | 270905632184363 | 7 | 2.114637285704E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207914770403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724615 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405505653_885735599603382_3653690071565610593_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qflL2hy2ZZMAX9C0hdk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBAgs6M1FH0QI4zFRZifYPBTywG75wTsP6B1UDrb-0ywg&oe=65883A49 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405518263_671746091793229_4955108026423738268_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Swaenw8iUO0AX_DMMC7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB-C78-3uMNckiqSDsARiSScJHvRu3xz12Bew-tXtj0JA&oe=65881B7D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56659 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 1:06 PM | 1703105783 | 1746554761 | 65 | 1547304199370636 | 1 | 2.9729270195114E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690714760115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055853 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403734729_6923393034406263_7140601785445060604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BoCiN1cPaaMAX9Un7KI&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC_eN6-PTgnhRk_fUUxFpXjeNYtXGuh9Ng25VxacDSlCw&oe=6588FBAD | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403776942_889326835756501_6466656151559867539_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TvIo_V1OCokAX9qXKWw&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA7RyV1p0k7YmQBy9EP2ik7s55Q68dB0FV4SLaE6QkDfA&oe=65890313 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55866 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/2/24, 11:58 AM | 1703105774 | 1727888289 | 65 | 1046994889911288 | 1 | 3.8741503037589E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220396290670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449651 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410738282_925532461814247_4355980368736443896_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oMpl5KWo1xYAX9eqgfS&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9mqUmQGRlwEFL8E3XKjFgQdg-IgE06UYqInzljyA07A&oe=658851C0 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410601755_698475189014514_2836908792587626576_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7wEU09I_428AX8YKWf1&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6g86gIaro9Bsuj3htphGrWiQaEt_MtvZ3ue-zCpdA2g&oe=6587D8FF | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56021 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970799 | 65 | 1015011626275920 | 3.1601919460082E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216203040123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310303 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410185314_727065475648059_5334322599643134163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=03jGwqhwdHcAX-WPhqF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBvOufConXYl8kbnFfH6APUZiotytxHpz3RNBwkPDf4WA&oe=6588F025 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410227843_797134682180251_8281978493609046885_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_iNiEMcI2-wAX9d4Pgc&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBxNkWwEOnsETUFLzUUZj8cGyPRvTL2VVlUHACpw9sBkw&oe=65879314 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56506 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970799 | 65 | 724429909595241 | 1 | 7.2521951243767E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201240370080123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701259505 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406651517_2032323077121930_3461607640875998750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lP_E883Y8aEAX9eEKf5&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAAw780AFr4s7qQPGIkIB06BKx3JWxcQOR9Ar_SG2XHzw&oe=6588C2FE | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406674738_882679340112963_8260177797270143443_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v9K_pPvnqgUAX8TTxUm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBvfxMgXHviWC74Wo8A_5M9zgHcxZVIL6Yp1vQHQqUTuw&oe=6587931E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56524 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/30/25, 9:04 AM | 1703105781 | 1748613841 | 65 | 190379990798075 | 1 | 3.1349361490328E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201749000510115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701228053 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406541549_903941851291125_4624788315191438971_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gJacl6cCMywAX-e9V-H&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD1Y59uVoWtKpiVZevxJNVF3rRmYcTj8JcdebLabLexdg&oe=65888678 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406052011_309375148677745_4697806112490703976_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_6z_LHbszGwAX8X60p2&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBliAkq-k9K5fyvesiaFkaEa90uoyojyn5uh18YJbAgZQ&oe=65874EE5 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55986 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970799 | 65 | 369947269047527 | 1 | 1.0563872923431E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205058022720427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702371251 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406863610_300325822991840_1764951358569034642_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YKMLh44QFoIAX9DwTTv&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDC_HTbCNwVujkVFBchoPm0Pfqfob6Vn5HWHxSQ42MnLg&oe=65878139 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409159359_1096025024621295_498727012572029690_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zcl6xH1RC9UAX_SuoML&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB3pB05dIwJOpIXdu9fDUsNWyI5uyTGnkTG-WBJvXlTig&oe=6587DBB1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56093 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 10:49 PM | 1703105776 | 1745380157 | 65 | 280244217911641 | 1 | 1.5323018142288E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259667230476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181008 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406853901_874996410823027_2132305888638266131_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VgP7zhfmu70AX-Mi1YQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMK3nFardOPNbyiZ7vt9bX2ZZyQ9kvMcy_jOHfVengKg&oe=6587F163 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408461379_889218905857160_5002774097022071349_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U42rkHQf2x8AX9VUG6V&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBU_PMKdq_CqMy_cWpVp_-_-7YoNPfA5OAEejPSKsVbiQ&oe=65885F9A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56755 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 5:34 AM | 1703105784 | 1743590086 | 65 | 365351145973395 | 1 | 2.4303994525056E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200360105640122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700883439 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403633895_1017622852864070_6948593193159244737_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s9GcPrZzB8wAX_1eNTL&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD_wUc2zyWiU-Vxv2JY7Y27KTePsvaMJATnoSgv0DQhaQ&oe=6587F449 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403627270_1257527415638463_470358539738203558_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WYp-Z_-a2q4AX_wHBII&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBcMJyi5hDVS7MlrGvgWTp2BaduS4qj5VJkMhNYoaD7Rg&oe=6588D068 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55910 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970799 | 65 | 917135733168922 | 4 | 1.1183296461916E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6871006677 | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | 6501555321489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427657 | 6871006677 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410025491_1345279386120648_5159041349994333092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y-vkbLNY7kwAX98uRZJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACU9fXSCXp44K7Nxs8pGbZ4K1FuKK_zIdafNeAWp8GPg&oe=65881F56 | person_profile | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410176527_1075822390089377_5654448638088881259_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f4lRjec7CBcAX-O7Hm7&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC4Uc0umgiW1usVxFgnjLTJqE3iYSMFSFTCB5KfhYrabA&oe=6587F761 | 0 | 3 | Utah, catch us performing live at Kilby Block Party May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3jnaziUxiwoL6P5L4E9xOUPyLKFtXPVNJiEwXiJgTy5Bni6xL47Pmj62QeZY10VRUZAaOXQ8HkRxTpWz2nRW5QdI-5fepwFdoCSazO3_i1ZRS1WajfFvZxnZ7MVoTbkNnPxPkGxZ3CDw4M3wY4ZX66pkTaIKL_YiVM_hrzpNA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Death Cab for Cutie | 2095872 | https://facebook.com/deathcabforcutie | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56266 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970800 | 65 | 319321524349396 | 1 | 7.0393879327874E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997247610476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940846 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983306_1047457150013754_5430900340381601530_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PdrqGZoOchAAX_QxRWX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBZkVTy4U59Iz1xMypggkHaZ70p6F8Dmp4_GWsGWioLVA&oe=65879BE2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408135891_1747873622356800_2798551012665676623_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K0jbZd4luGUAX_39p_D&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDO1KcRgHYlXCP6ow9FlKQT6uzwnGEGD-DgrqiUzumBTw&oe=6587FAD4 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56529 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970800 | 65 | 1524551064966980 | 1 | 1.2621303744667E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748971030115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227884 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406538837_3680100522278332_4535635162953829219_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DcCKNBlCkBMAX8WGdCV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCCT6HF9BUjBq_ud-n8OkqXSlOxks17JKrinBfIKoiWRg&oe=658901B2 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406202244_888414619550930_7467612921225423767_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u7JJ2g-r660AX-HLgSD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDGrsE-BIXRYSBP721eDk-S6q19WInTNxgEAkWNraoVwQ&oe=6587A799 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55501 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/20/25, 9:53 AM | 1703105770 | 1740066816 | 65 | 866565411807713 | 4 | 8.2245211630123E+14 | 1702800000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120202502744580431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702740172 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX8NMQ-y&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDJOptjYiH2za93gU8DfNKalVfWAV_YRqsnyCcAKGVLNA&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410227318_1346432362901841_7285564703831953824_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OL6M_93DHekAX_D7NBV&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCf6ZTWsQ0Kqh_YH9qvugbcsptMeg-lmjl1Kv1JcHj3ew&oe=65878B9E | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, represented by a gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56877 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970801 | 65 | 172654779207651 | 5 | 1.0021451142252E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779372070250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678800 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WzhiA5pG13sAX9rh34A&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-BwKVpsaP0NzS9-9wKdZPJgUP1gljL4FYZFglsj_83w&oe=658766A6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55894 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970801 | 65 | 369125478985742 | 2.2562299381458E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501176848289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702324391 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406840759_2496356803880017_5665863923637684325_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iGr3JWJQ5sMAX_qxr4K&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDajeIxG8Q9c08VKm5agk5J7zLFgg-13HOtIfHZe96SVw&oe=6588C34E | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406867773_753862863260055_8888615679805735616_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PruKuSJOQBMAX9U-U85&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzIfXtD-7qllfXv9FEAN7gXwQjppk7zYkhKr63Hb6mmw&oe=658845BA | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT18QejFOcRej9SkMahrgybRPSCU7ogIjuZn1inG3Zo8VLbHPxwjRr5Cb8JgtVDOZiHFi5bxqVr8C-Y2Zcya16GuUOa-0OtKrO1DhRY_gRP2WBpdXWLe9E6cIy3yFdZKb6YxjtLU8OUz49Okm8DaSlULLlgPUMQx6aiBoF7HFhU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56097 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970801 | 65 | 716260807097019 | 1 | 8.9372770240412E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259784820476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180981 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406851091_861391165462667_5686757104134265389_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBlpACQBBsUAX8B-y59&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBw5bz1l3hSf6QaLwJqXB7_t_ES-KBj_lELwPm0SGmGjg&oe=65892E5B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406805994_2046486542366720_3354003576236124761_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l4KgJWodt1YAX_c8wOl&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBkiOsvjZop7O-0OSOkiXasmFPIRVM9SGAcVkG3snM7Qg&oe=6588C6F6 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56665 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970801 | 65 | 3513486768865434 | 1 | 3.1863565095498E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690717410115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055865 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405775357_275389468365570_1236067893875194695_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d2cGk9mY6IgAX-lwNdM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC5N4gXdYAF3qnDZrlQSP-gvXi4Sszvum9drAzrWHi59A&oe=6587EA76 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406020550_735875211687313_5732312652596830535_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yl1W9y6FMCIAX_h_eRS&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC_oD6xRBxY32DLjzrjOj3B-piwuVIGC9hZ5JZZemf6ug&oe=658826F2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55544 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970801 | 65 | 315882974655517 | 2 | 1.1651691944621E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774758770385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633134 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410987466_1086919735666694_3190065212206483631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=licJZEoF10oAX8ollv-&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCi7MrP4sdUZP1Z0b1JqCqzAIKsS96Us4uHfYD_VYnWBw&oe=65875614 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410729875_1572925596872742_5491588759265783961_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dWmUUthUogUAX90Yr9D&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDeJpD7HyaH7_ayVVfYA6CSC9gGhNMI72atK6dGVfkwyA&oe=6587BCAE | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56244 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/27/25, 5:19 AM | 1703105778 | 1751019566 | 65 | 3219202098381021 | 1 | 4.4571343034402E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12013348247 | 0 | Country Living Magazine | 120202295240230684 | countryliving.com | No button | NONE | image | These Joanna Gaines-Approved Finds Are on Our Amazon Wishlist | https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g40177047/joanna-gaines-amazon-prime-day-2022/?utm_source=facebook_arb&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=arb_fb_clv_d_i_comm_k1_g40177047 | 1701963933 | 12013348247 | Country Living Magazine | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408864220_767749615191319_3069477737327055773_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WN9A-fA046wAX-CCOjh&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBTjr7EoEs_LkLt64gzXsTCvzFiV-4EHn0F8oupIgmCUw&oe=65878777 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Farmhouse style on a budget right this way. | Country Living Magazine | 5146468 | https://facebook.com/CountryLiving | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56114 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970802 | 65 | 714471747274381 | 4 | 8.2245211630123E+14 | 1702195200 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120201910238210431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702162708 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX84GLfb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBrRbYBYTrpjanL5t-o_ZwV7qZqiuUDeV3bAkA7tMdJ1w&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921096_251199017750802_409221090301921333_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qz2iAXMaIvkAX9ec2mR&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCzPM-MWzEkrxkG84YOtYwxbOe3lEK5CspQi_KlqVBjXA&oe=65885036 | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, represented by a gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55825 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 11:54 AM | 1703105773 | 1724259299 | 65 | 905681180891419 | 1 | 1.044026520152E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169336420427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462107 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409704588_897456521476274_6563719753379201992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ixpsAB5t7l4AX83sVRl&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCkOtrflr5PSVdV-2UdEx5AQFQJZnfZz0WYbu1IQnYW2w&oe=6589186A | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409726829_1002714354156472_5953993610458900005_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UOL20BFPI1UAX9GItn7&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBbK2N7OECrfClYCRhMtu8k3wt-jMoR-bqDZqJvyxD_dQ&oe=65887646 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55664 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970802 | 65 | 3709601252660003 | 1 | 8.8195643678943E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112243818028359 | 0 | Niko Stories | 120202962057670340 | parentztalk.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers: The Hidden Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://parentztalk.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-ua/ | 1702585362 | 1.1224381802836E+14 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410850619_904920973968569_5129009734432136784_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aDKG2IQuCz0AX_SHUqy&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5NAqGqqtUJ6-jE2loE72cY0UFOCTlwbffSlNzv2HgtQ&oe=65877A2C | person_profile | 0 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410912078_940659584353638_8391703994341716635_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XCkZTanLKIMAX8_UrGV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDR5hNGV7lTpRck3qrz6WUyIK-LUjxjszr-Brjy1DoD2g&oe=65876262 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Niko Stories | 21 | https://facebook.com/100079533857132 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55526 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970802 | 65 | 705238578221198 | 1 | 3.7799828470851E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 232772263407501 | 0 | Joanna Crawshaw Artist | 120203405602900687 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannacrawshaw | 1702683897 | 2.327722634075E+14 | Joanna Crawshaw Artist | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411573789_1302748450408891_5940499832663969142_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LMOUk3QeRq0AX96ObPs&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBtUP85qNgazDYWKgDSOZJrvpOI4Natd90pbxSVsNuibA&oe=65881C89 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Crawshaw | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411600059_7527079580649839_4067711266752349322_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KdIYZRglH68AX9SJNjB&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAhmIbfRIPaAt7-wpgxVyas37sZTFvU5OZCKvj2XsGFkw&oe=65883C72 | 0 | 3 | This one came to mind quite quickly, but took forever to put together.<br /> I found myself keeping all the canvas scraps while repurposing my older works. Once I realized I had almost all the colors I needed, I dedicated a chunck of time to finish this in time for open studios. It’s quite impressive in person. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> Love is Love<br /> Acrylic on canvas panel<br /> 26 x 40 in<br /> $1,200 USD<br /> ***<br /> <br /> Message me to purchase.<br /> Shipping TBD (order by Dec 15 for delivery by Christmas).⠀<br /> Available for porch pick up if local to Sacramento.<br /> <br /> #loveislove #shopsmall #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses #holidayshopping<br /> #gifts #artasgifts #artfortheholidays #artforthehome⠀<br /> #art #artwork #originalart #abstractart #abstractpainting #joannacrawshaw | Joanna Crawshaw Artist | 138 | https://facebook.com/100063330541879 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55460 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970803 | 65 | 1119051996129819 | 3 | 9.0389222134585E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201980472490452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run Your Marathon In 16 Weeks... Or I'll Give You A $100 | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702862823 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411234563_378179194573366_8389408697720457988_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nqX-4wQs2x8AX8lOifa&_nc_oc=AQnQVm1RNQOcomUUWW3ynHY9i-qkDFDc4yzi9XML1GxjqlWCPQ46j3zzb1G522FEKy4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCoW0XBo1jEiyEcVXqnFlBVu9tDrKdX2ZSaFAmA6ROXEQ&oe=6587FD01 | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412282304_1075603620246920_51109711020779814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qp81WH4Qn4cAX8G5tky&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBakyaq8Mzg70AcoM2ktBwCJVP4jG8pJfsUhKmrvPjwuw&oe=65885E2A | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT0anjG0V3IKHIudHuS_bq6EiLLIo0OZv0tBhRHxSZeUDXPOBe2IJzuGh85rSXiWqGxBoTKqXFkmXUkBGO_GJzScgGRvN5J_y3opLWemJcaQ8YqAGinDSheAP0feWweMeljB5sX4uIMgKHRpg9_sKfrz0dM" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55454 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970803 | 65 | 848931463595930 | 2.0712646832072E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201982203170452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702863605 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411104667_734943831418199_1067345738162356073_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nUXMx21kQOUAX-zKr-j&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCIitvYH8e8ZbSeAW0nWzz_DEvnSeql4-dOhMvN5VfoeA&oe=6587A8DE | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411190281_338061865650965_112249613858380723_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZrWJNnTvX3IAX_1xBYe&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBCigEM1i8ZUdirJLfDokgPlPP5CIOQIr5EaFzjiu3-GA&oe=65874E18 | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT0DeHe2ixXN9lAewip1mxBnfajqkwDAnmdCb19kFBpCoLN9_gXFP97CQEOlIJGXAAFH8DMYQw5Uxb2ekl-uGtkkFI4tQtuasfMddRZKzXg7zG8OgBYF9Z77PXTQ6qtyfYAvfLNOd4S44EcOhZtnXi_WWUg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55349 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/18/25, 3:01 AM | 1703105769 | 1750233682 | 65 | 1046663926460848 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56894 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970803 | 65 | 307136438891953 | 5 | 7.2234098268851E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109657078608486 | 0 | Learn Something | 120200721153830167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679055 | 1.0965707860849E+14 | Learn Something | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405499495_6696053400449536_785684262627965749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NOCFM-m1mYAX8cbsZ-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCujPdBQBpa-1_2bRH4UELmyfiZVzyNWCweOseh3u7twQ&oe=65887AB5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Learn Something | 5352 | https://facebook.com/100086954096959 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56225 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970803 | 65 | 1127853548592202 | 1.040888780364E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202409462710520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702008111 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408959532_665774492092257_2709160348683179025_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NtE54LlyZAEAX-tQ08X&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCReGNFY9JMd5UbEaOXQL00WDv--QfFynSn6uolcmCEwQ&oe=65891CB8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56901 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970803 | 65 | 362523082972541 | 2.7834020851566E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779365580250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678775 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404286689_2650950335067980_8718050196012372022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T57PZ_o1Z7UAX8VpynF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAFaQ38pAkT0L4X2MzcLaw5opIzOjcSAfItfCTMjodKVw&oe=658845FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55721 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970804 | 65 | 1742513326259305 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100338532840356 | 0 | Tipopedia | 120203932382010159 | tipopedia.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.tipopedia.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702471316 | 1.0033853284036E+14 | Tipopedia | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409715628_1116660853043346_3364053384192263262_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XQ1d7ixu4wkAX9f0ghZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBS6IETO2JnuLW7DHMX0fpTfghSVn4ir7n0BqViKRUaVg&oe=6587EBA9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Tipopedia | 58 | https://facebook.com/100086091750983 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55750 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/16/25, 6:36 PM | 1703105772 | 1739752561 | 65 | 922746982742855 | 4 | 8.7957657712288E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548133209 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494409 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409770840_859367499257508_7982999040515187877_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yevykIN_tAUAX_QZuuP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMndN3T73f3hIGCBm3NZXdgvKz_CRI4e9d8Db8ZgS_0g&oe=658807F1 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409717613_373318471897357_1277266813245526403_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=haBJJ-fbeTgAX-LQtVC&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAWHEksrYgC6L4DkWmW_1bHAj6iEvGAEVRexx1vZgztVA&oe=65886EAD | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55643 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970804 | 65 | 1106859444064067 | 1 | 1.7858366818896E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102643112351705 | 0 | Modern Families | 120202325434920088 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Renovation Revelations: Former “Fixer Upper” Clients Tell All About Their Experience On The Show By: Lilli Keeve | Last updated: Aug 31, 2022 Originally Published on trendymatter.com and repurposed with permissions During its run from 2013 to 2018, the hit renovation reality show “Fixer Upper.... | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555521 | 1.0264311235170E+14 | Modern Families | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411116662_1464542077737823_7710570824678903813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UrDyH0Pz9MEAX-f93vj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDWvVvoD53QG9Nl8HntjAgC3LdlltH_OwtvDaSGA7Vreg&oe=6588635A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Modern Families | 6186 | https://facebook.com/100078199183097 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56322 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970804 | 65 | 1299642164032109 | 1 | 3.6637996273042E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201103334290540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701850802 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407972815_1473373749900583_8582907547728050205_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iTuVZYx7RaYAX9oITjK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3DZWNfjzE9nSdvlSyjjZtjCrTQh94e3MA4EZsO-wTww&oe=65888249 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407943805_3533874583533392_5173607830673882393_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R7JZwVfO7csAX8Ki5dE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAezEcJGow0xI3r1YLn3XC2MO9bSRyzQ0NwZSNRZzJGkA&oe=6587C3B8 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56207 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 4:27 PM | 1703105778 | 1746912463 | 65 | 903940107914658 | 1 | 6.8227426345099E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074206930476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016177 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406732872_330605093076342_9111922318612608633_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E8XedjnKwdgAX9yTwO3&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfDo12HtO8l1_Sg-fgPrqoBlI2YX-scZmi1W8TCuo4qLAg&oe=658749DB | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406736969_369080788840148_392452025542652081_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jLVzVoceisAAX9qN8Ex&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCBbS6u7w_PHK4_et7G4zsfs8romltFOtjdP1zHJwCWcA&oe=6587E63F | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56723 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970804 | 65 | 356684386910990 | 2 | 6.7028769192245E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2166029823488459 | 0 | Marspeta | 120203176203880409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700908911 | 2.1660298234885E+15 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405215255_6548534625276185_4826408606391728120_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7zPCZ79gKywAX-ATNoo&_nc_oc=AQlBAwRQ-Ke1XodIRj4XxrMDbnpA-4yqrHpbLWbxZISy0GDVyWn1qvQaMwz5YB18xBZd94TKmWA8iVJlzi3SHLfy&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDjRrGbjYeOoDZZEvant47jnQr71mVEitIktpbjw-I2Lw&oe=65875904 | person_profile | 0 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405293747_245167258575865_724253333890191234_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=shHY-E_Hdc8AX_W38BQ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCC7-cHl-S3QMXXMFdnntjJ1WofI0aPl7JdTe2KN_DzdA&oe=6588F169 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Marspeta | 27676 | https://facebook.com/Marspeta | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55576 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970804 | 65 | 1436948723885464 | 2 | 8.9899647503778E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748540506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636944 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410391434_332253556336526_5824296967948092663_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4wlsjKKxZp4AX8yOcAj&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBa2jwG-sdM8PrDx0a10_2hs7vavRf5NMCV5hffc0LvBw&oe=658764F7 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411137026_663228535934277_8372044514062030080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uBzxzHx0cV8AX_WaPBq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCEeIt7bHqR3h5bJW1MWBRtF64wEDFa4w50Vgt9SqC1iQ&oe=6588CA75 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55333 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970804 | 65 | 2077110819317037 | 1 | 1.4166806255497E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207261498290777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702967539 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412056377_7223136957737732_8298340526057438332_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6bc39mNVSLUAX9rfOVt&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDL1Yg9CI4UpWTeypiKrtDqdx7YzMd3o998La67g4A_7g&oe=6588ABB1 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412027462_330555429756320_3403922573313010274_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PaaFDXE3ep8AX_UEyIc&_nc_oc=AQk7pKjtJKYn5q17FQe-B_D_V6MNz5OTmH-SenRvm7LV13L9PCbu3wn2OsoQECFE2q4&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBojyo9tzjGLZSXCkZ3WvlKue5EX2sdtXB3TozsaPhctg&oe=65887024 | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55969 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970804 | 65 | 371779475404694 | 2 | 3.6635276607399E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 520171088019503 | 0 | Liforme | 6572587458864 | NONE | image | 1702381840 | 5.201710880195E+14 | Liforme | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410316784_738866097596390_585104404256351000_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=joQJ2fbX2fUAX9xRPl7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBGTePb4CeC1FHEl5GYo1yzirPyfpQhkLn20OwDpyZYYw&oe=65876448 | person_profile | 0 | Liforme Yoga | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410337580_357267803569763_5884953388623319037_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CjR5mJrK05IAX9R6bJ1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCByi169dtKZLeBruyfgA4ujnmxY4aqUptyM5zIJXuR_w&oe=6587784B | 0 | 3 | Looking for the ultimate Yogi gift? 💝<br /> <br /> For a gift as unique as they are, you can design your very own custom Liforme X You Yoga mat using our innovative, first-of-its-kind Yoga Mat customiser. <br /> <br /> Matching custom mats are pretty cute, but you can also go for a Liforme X You gift card and let them pick out the colours, alignment guides, and themes that make up their own perfect mat. <br /> <br /> Treat yourself or a loved one. Personalised Yoga practice awaits! Link in bio! 🛠️<br /> <br /> Sending our love and thanks to @facetka_od_jogi and @iamthecode pictured here on a Liforme x You Custom Yoga mat. Special thanks to @lekko_store and @Joanna.kepa.foto for the beautiful shot! ❤️🙏<br /> <br /> <br /> #liforme #yoga #yogamat #liveformore #Yogi #yogaeverydamnday #customyogamat #customgifts | Liforme | 118723 | https://facebook.com/LiformeYoga | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55384 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970804 | 65 | 321422317453387 | 5 | 7.047505505317E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120204345062430002 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702956708 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410991560_228244170309214_24371246063227003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k3M9Uw4CwooAX-p2lkO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDTDlUflXWq_VV8WeCSFksL0Lj6clubI6gOquHrhTjd8g&oe=658845F1 | person_profile | 0 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410985395_676771037656318_2000153294350553046_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YsNSx0ILcKYAX89A12O&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-WUt_HuKHe0NIOm67AUQotMsoi8NHJWW1LSG8ksdxNw&oe=6588A868 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56704 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970805 | 65 | 1094971221914105 | 2 | 9.9595591483504E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674069860115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969827 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406091584_6996389943717081_1455037510114770110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L3NoAbettOwAX9xUNuA&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCSwS6f07N5NUNWamaQDExNTUWBkUeMzpBaCEeDZgDXIg&oe=65886D64 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405786459_740822004554363_1083440426676748653_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kYJQ8GCM6k8AX_di0sb&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB36B4SM3LFfBj0Dj4wmcmyl3LEEIZzl27R2P5IV5B95g&oe=6588BA3D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55684 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970805 | 65 | 731615181785371 | 3.1054075861595E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102761368209901 | 0 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 6529577712581 | www.youtube.com | Watch more | NONE | video | 40th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade | https://www.youtube.com/@eatlivelovesanfernandovalley/ | 1702586068 | 1.027613682099E+14 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411175583_252297334334054_971435545002798124_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=91fNGfJbeUEAX_clEy9&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhGHmr0TjR4sFahUraJrULHt1Up-b37fzBZKY-XN8j_w&oe=65890417 | person_profile | 0 | Eat Live Love SFV | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410643315_684561897142914_9202111712621616940_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e8LIGPOwSY8AX-3IDpN&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAyro1Gd-WwEVaHeMjgLCSiIkbOdejNpP3gQ7Qnl0hLvg&oe=6588ACAA | 0 | 3 | #TBT to the magical moments of the 40th annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade 🎉🎄🕎❤ celebrating community spirit earlier this month. <br /> <br /> A huge THANK YOU to all the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible! 🙏 Your hard work and passion brought our community together in the most amazing way. | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 1829 | https://facebook.com/EatLiveLoveSanFernandoValley | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56440 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970805 | 65 | 920878162973354 | 1 | 3.0822700544618E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120201119753790383 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Women Who Think They’re ‘Not Like Other Girls | We know that part of growing up means learning how to be your own person. Unfortunately, society often teaches girls that their gender isn’t as cool as the boys, and that they need to be different from the others to be good enough and not get labelled as “basic”. We’ve put together the worst... | https://cooking4all.com/women-who-think-there-md-ext/ | 1701357554 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406089660_1458839411360388_8125909862364587021_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TmMc13JXe1cAX-Qdl96&_nc_oc=AQk1PmMy82lFKQASwG_b6WAnGsOxna5rLQekYA8Sb9MBiZaxlJ6rebA0XymggQIIwt7yKsKZNUVJuDBTYVLaiyNy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6Rii9dkqR15NUojbbCpywHKL8-ZbEqWwrqOPgDGl4dQ&oe=6588A7AE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 25+ Women who think they aren't like "other girls" until someone proves them wrong. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56559 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970805 | 65 | 1534491180640965 | 2 | 2.3139807788105E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685809900123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053226 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401665707_737177881776037_4402428300958524847_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yv8UxevLx14AX8Y4AHr&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBe31_FazbLx7qKD71YE1-2nc2nVbHLXnAHWcZI87YXxA&oe=65887676 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401722453_1046305139740914_9055438400608848248_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iv-2euNa12MAX_8SxFL&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFdDA2hPfj9b92c6St3QsWNmrynsbl20fyPSyJNEJFRA&oe=65875A90 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56361 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 5:53 PM | 1703105779 | 1743548030 | 65 | 356618736968851 | 3 | 3.4829510454682E+14 | 1702108800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 102071899574413 | 0 | Family Shirts B2 | 120201560244430754 | familyshirt.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTIONS | Best gifts for your Family | https://familyshirt.store/joanna-y1?product=unisex-hoodie | 1699785931 | 1.0207189957441E+14 | Family Shirts B2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400273114_331504589582049_639310208074002361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-F1pKdZrnh0AX8N5Tbd&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDiz6T_XjT3egZZqADd8yF7JjVUGQiq7sc9IFilDr7_ow&oe=658773AC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> More designs here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilyshirt.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0mBAAesl9yeqZNYz-IZHjEuUSof-BY3Ma3hpsLcQ5kFzmX9n44JPu-PBhNKawGBJlrzwQJH6_tWPHzl8vRJ3Awc14yHHli0tHReo4ggCa3tgJxBvD1iZ6_W5B2hvoh9RhK-qK-f9CQXPf5Bt71pgZ-wXU5jqf2_BM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://familyshirt.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Shirts B2 | 57 | https://facebook.com/100093120934925 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56462 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970805 | 65 | 7023485477721019 | 1 | 7.1864754646665E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497696300404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357846 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407267366_224895233967450_1497145102046888741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0tPYsMBPHv4AX-lptnV&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAfl1ztnDvwdVX9z1XmRrcbqbi-2lLbGXeRJEmWuCVEbA&oe=658765CA | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407260611_904985507806370_6840191885655496330_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sBWBBfxyxnoAX8ULoxm&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfARlWHpy3IiVL5hvWCi-TRXTerg_rn5mIF3_YQm4wU6Mg&oe=65888C8B | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56130 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970805 | 65 | 267224363004175 | 1 | 6.9485989906405E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155255060476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094686 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408500266_7071790252928776_8797604567701373952_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FTyz7mofVqoAX_IsQ9S&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDbA8JkAws-DEBqpv7Fct-74_KoVHgSLhqnIo8xJ6qW_Q&oe=65889447 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408505599_724888925846524_6188678347268696051_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ycFDCBM1wwwAX-GSixh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfASR_eAUcmkaMQOF7VDQE4eVwwOeTD6GUDUSuIiYyqxWQ&oe=6587B04D | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56343 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970806 | 65 | 2701788933306887 | 1 | 1.4618180313982E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 577112035777814 | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | 120203384095420664 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannastanecka | 1701766240 | 5.7711203577781E+14 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407931529_317086697809119_8373962328190345954_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HsWte7yuBkQAX-A0qi3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBRAwYJ9zP7IlY9wf-qrLmLF_EW383a4ItXLucXFR5vUw&oe=65880A99 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407988827_1856198391508621_5267210568438092192_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gvhmB25X5DsAX9fC8KA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAOSLqDiuOucpN97UV5k8H0EmXlhdZj4_wIDAw-r5Iigg&oe=658928D1 | 0 | 3 | 🌲Kolędy. Carols. Weihnachtslieder. Pastorałki⭐️<br /> <br /> 8.12 Literaturhaus Wiesbaden 19.00<br /> 14.12 Bistro Zwischen den Polen Bonn 19.30<br /> 15.12 Ostritz Marienthal Kokopol 19.00<br /> Kompetentz Koordinationszentrum Polisch<br /> 16.12 Europejskie Centrum<br /> Pamięć Edukacja Kultura 17.00<br /> Stalag Zgorzelec- Görlitz<br /> 17.12 Polnisches Institut Leipzig 17.00<br /> <br /> Powoli rozpoczynamy trasę z „dobrym słowem”, „płomieniem pokoju”, „dobrą nowiną”, kolędą rzewną, kolędą witalną i pastorałką skoczną. Wybrzmią świąteczne wibracje Marlene Dietrich, Zbigniewa Preisnera, Seweryna Krajewskiego i Agnieszki Osieckiej. Koncerty kończymy czułą wspólnotą i gromadnym śpiewaniem najukochańszych utworów Czasu Oczekiwania. <br /> Będzie dawna stolica świata zza żelaznej kurtyny- Bonn, będzie i miasto Marka Hłaski czyli Wiesbaden. Będzie muzykowanie na granicach państw, aby rozpuszczać granice w sercach i umysłach czyli Görlitz , Zgorzelec i przesłodkie Ostritz na granicy polsko- czesko- niemieckiej z klasztornym opactwem i winnicami, będzie i Lipsk.<br /> <br /> Slowly we start the tour with "good word", "flame of peace", "good news", a rousing carol, a vital carol and a jumping pastoral. Christmas vibes of Marlene Dietrich, Zbigniew Preisner, Seweryn Krajewski and Agnieszka Osiecka will resound. The concerts will conclude with tender fellowship and thunderous singing of the most beloved songs of Waiting Time. | Joanna Stanecka | 2065 | https://facebook.com/joannaaktorka | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55945 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970806 | 65 | 915801946835780 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207706268290456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389831 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410113838_373915225161432_4315613115122492994_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1_Iv_ZtKp_cAX-l1KiM&_nc_oc=AQkFzA9n0e8pPqsD4-DMvuUhM2BAMpLzI8JlWfN5MC0a0BwH4P5SgTfr8YzO5jw9Hnxlov2XxCCsa7r_MI3rxwBD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDsA4ZhZ6fJp4eqVObmIf0eBMSxiFfOj9k0myghqb93SA&oe=65893966 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408847832_1832114707221289_254153225324393930_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SD8NuY4PtccAX_ISq_w&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiy5gGz97-eOFlzfjnFUSb8AxVI31Gdf3D0CQnw_AAvQ&oe=6588F29D | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55471 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970806 | 65 | 1447798626078953 | 6.6206750249947E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 147511991787764 | 0 | NovaNestle | 6528961899674 | novanestlecw.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Xmas Give-away! | https://novanestlecw.com/ | 1702849196 | 1.4751199178776E+14 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412235419_1130150031729284_6106394150882622884_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m3YgtA-P2HUAX-BCEex&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB_R5aM5WWX_c3Z4D_eABEiq2G_MXcZ5NWLb5QUYE5igA&oe=6588B371 | person_profile | 0 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412160889_876789584089586_2294244149189373979_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XHHsvwrw8HEAX9bOoNY&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC11fG8jm1f1H9lPSRx12QQO2XC0_wMvWzqavyUCpdPMg&oe=6588206D | 0 | 3 | (Backed by a Lifetime Warranty). Guaranteed, the last cookware set you will own. | NovaNestle | 4 | https://facebook.com/61554141392830 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56230 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970806 | 65 | 671392268172877 | 2 | 3.1884544434879E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 143276632196057 | 0 | Windclothes56N-2A | 120201762740810088 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your family | JOANNA-A1-2 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a1-2-1 | 1702001151 | 1.4327663219606E+14 | Windclothes56N-2A | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408002212_1045670046743134_9016433691406709457_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zpzwNY4gOnAAX_hrD6P&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAIxy9kVck2abE4EQDWdKHrXkACRd4Ps4iFC5M90tEIpA&oe=6588972E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0vnAPo62g138C3Dts-t0J3WS_6SRYof1JJ5TDhQ3Xn7uAwD5xC1ZhTxLRPpQGPKPYsXioJbEWK8Z0Q1nOK_e9m-rpO0s-kjCMsiv6FjP-wQq0g1epp71KmJ1Y_iQMS_aJmRjsijCBXQpvqFvOroFUp-Htjk-CtN3Zg9w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | Windclothes56N-2A | 3 | https://facebook.com/61551835953609 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55801 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970807 | 65 | 268192682904705 | 1 | 1.6064856834222E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 762277677176014 | 0 | Better Reading | 6527522016074 | NONE | video | Better Reading Christmas Party | 1702464586 | 7.6227767717601E+14 | Better Reading | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410377339_228014223655847_4371898176323455162_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tBEVSwkb4usAX-pQH2y&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBV1wP3BU_FT4SUbOxL8CgvqdYo88xEvr8I7Z1qXPVk1Q&oe=65877AED | person_profile | 0 | Better Reading | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410454073_377591711463431_2242004110871376262_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xXSeLoqpJGkAX_uw73S&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5X2mGMf-fnB1Al9ftEyhr-HecuDp4DDLbqfa_rJnhdQ&oe=6587AA4D | 0 | 3 | EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!<br /> The Better Reading Facebook Live Christmas Party is on December 13 at 8pm AEDT. Mark your calendars! We'll be chatting to special guest authors and giving away special prizes. Chill the bubbly and we'll see you then. | Better Reading | 374415 | https://facebook.com/BetterReadingAu | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55724 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970807 | 65 | 1401965457395109 | 2 | 7.0475279486266E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 84398256230 | 0 | Lowe's Home Improvement | 120203529807880616 | lowes.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.lowes.com/l/online-paint-store.html?cm_mmc=psm-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-fb-_-{{campaign.id}}-_-{{ad.id}}-_-0-_-awr-_-int | 1702539123 | 84398256230 | Lowe's Home Improvement | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411189116_1852423175217755_584097994550898459_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QHs1ydWqzB4AX-vce6o&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZ6rPzLJlN_oBukyfWCryib-NUuF3yejsrwsGyWh-v-A&oe=65878086 | person_profile | 0 | Lowe's Home Improvement | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411137013_1558227531616241_8374490955640630566_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VqTV7BKqzxwAX_HzcMm&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEUG7tEZi0r2Su-e5HaQ1zLecPGxjjKhO3kly-7t3tuQ&oe=658812E9 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Lowe's Home Improvement | 4764756 | https://facebook.com/lowes | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55500 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970807 | 65 | 1388849532059973 | 1 | 6.5403398680885E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 330511345659 | 0 | PARMA Recordings | 120202826677890156 | navonarecords.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Transmutation – Navona Records | Joanna Estelle's TRANSMUTATION, a communal effort featuring various talented performers coming together to transmute their message to you. | https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6559/ | 1702744246 | 330511345659 | PARMA Recordings | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410916462_1798326477254695_4475925661777810563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qDUPk9LbcAkAX-eyqgx&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBfMqZ-GtcKq9xNZ1pN1tPwpyGcZk2zF0-yOLCo9uOf0Q&oe=65888105 | person_profile | 0 | PARMA Recordings | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410952025_1435094400768871_5758161347645116325_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HlA6lI026bcAX8sF8Nl&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgTtT92P1YhrenQNOqtKbevE6MVEuZKubbCd3HUUQWyA&oe=6588CB06 | 0 | 3 | TRANSMUTATION from composer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Joanna-Estelle/100066700864475/">Joanna Estelle</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/navonarecords">Navona Records</a> is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalmusicawards">Global Music Awards</a>' "Best in Show" for December 2023! Listen to the full album from Estelle, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Trio-Casals/100063499033415/">Trio Casals</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EwashkoSingers">Ewashko Singers</a>, and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/londonsymphonyorchestra">London Symphony Orchestra</a> here.<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.navonarecords.com%2Fcatalog%2Fnv6559%2F&h=AT3QMasc4_gyDGvV-DqqUskMnxz7yZ6Jc0e2gyDbKdb_bcq_Yj4KWCLj9qpYUA2d3Xq8Wk_u3dsZ-9isauWFhOzbWF9X-EkTQaEUPfT9bRKIj3vASLdrMlhnrggePPklRVb192J-HRhcEuU8wJKhey0ZClacME3GWyUXqg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6559/</a> | PARMA Recordings | 6313 | https://facebook.com/PARMArecordings | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56025 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970807 | 65 | 24231779039799994 | 1 | 6.5540562986384E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113238225190409 | 0 | Trick Or Tip | 120202527478780518 | hacksdetective.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.hacksdetective.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702294704 | 1.1323822519041E+14 | Trick Or Tip | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406517969_1828748647564299_4800471458258086814_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ItKI-TTOw-0AX-1KZlG&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBY_fd2IMMR4jnBgiPlXa15WK8toVpD0h0fbuX_qhvxWQ&oe=6588CDD7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Trick Or Tip | 850 | https://facebook.com/100095420917543 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56134 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970807 | 65 | 378599428064419 | 3 | 6.7167257495275E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155279510476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094518 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408131286_776423634499763_3532155383725802907_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hTY8sp0l8XEAX--eqLX&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYzAgUflhNd9ULfNb-KU9YamIiOndY3cInqiUp4CJf7g&oe=6588687B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408117319_330019379836666_7845106249894391786_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qc9cLeJ6JJEAX94mDs_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDmBFzH_WrJGsIoSrDO-czdNwmkf0fT5jJ1Bn73HcPt6A&oe=6587F612 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55515 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970808 | 65 | 869245718320060 | 1 | 3.7577182159454E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765768840465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702274 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411315766_324192817203686_1645109173268950926_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gj9VqIAEgAQAX-DAw4b&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAYhSyYSOehrviubL-psZSE1olCFaJPK6w37MXIoAnG1g&oe=6588984A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411224949_927597905389540_2282978264656240398_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OmAW8s1fwyUAX8QiRYs&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAXv0Hj02H2MhJ02LSRH_SMGInblM_jUrFdoD2I8RYtjg&oe=6587DBFA | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56224 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970808 | 65 | 709211100926316 | 3 | 1.040888780364E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202419233010520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702018926 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408815174_1071584400943691_7516230218235592782_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8B-8buRujz4AX9nhCYu&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCHMwfdOvKC0hYHFB-1PSXrjzZfWvFY1JPS7SAuLSDEvQ&oe=65879594 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56045 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970808 | 65 | 876925407254338 | 1 | 1.0107061000166E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498185210278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287793 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409586572_2323163667884668_3988127766710104392_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hcd_X2hg-T0AX8dXXwt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBjvebJaOAmsl8VrF66tVVv0Wlb0kFLek7zS_xJgm8x4g&oe=6588F5FE | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409682391_892543915793562_569521386557336094_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7TfUcLhays4AX_dD3f3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGS_sd6uLzpYF8O11c9Swlom4OkDf1wozpK656T__7bw&oe=6587A4DD | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56642 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970808 | 65 | 716369883417096 | 1 | 1.970598601225E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690790810115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056223 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404757121_896563292098367_3792925783404872446_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uJb4-VvLC5UAX8jc7M_&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB1ZVmuFL7xxrp3xf0H7ptl6xXlvJEgvh0j8BNrdJYHJQ&oe=65892827 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404723354_732660554894043_1509827114939837362_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M3MUXXO8frEAX9X6wUV&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC1R3TMMtiS35qJqAoqSAmKazzkrZPNAFg48tzHJllRNQ&oe=65885CE1 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56553 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970808 | 65 | 324586527179993 | 1 | 2.1512482885627E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685803880123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053360 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400592565_733767625278496_3497424637765425168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mxg0UEjLH5oAX8euxII&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDz-BDSP9k_yQAsYFz2fCH6bfSuMksUwZD80lEmKp996w&oe=658875CD | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401681640_270088588908814_2060695445300862724_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BxnmsICptEwAX_YHQyO&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCBVlOimHqamUVuZjxSfIze2z45X2LxF1ixhg9UWAQiGg&oe=658908CB | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56532 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 4:44 PM | 1703105781 | 1743371092 | 65 | 377481624718888 | 2 | 3.1884544434879E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 143276632196057 | 0 | Windclothes56N-2A | 120201186472140088 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your family | JOANNA-A1-2 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a1-2-1 | 1701232267 | 1.4327663219606E+14 | Windclothes56N-2A | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406348149_308355442024447_6904787565276782196_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6-f18u5Pac8AX8tUJCJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAMNgC1LnuqDqcsV2WMzEKv6BvN15EFRFspgyVIEDr07w&oe=6588A2E0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT1ERlPCwbmcWDht5MprK5CfZDqc6UeRa_BsuhyEmJD9RV3iHgqzXAZg-QPVmWuvYn7fnlUaZJGlY3MuKmbkoBavs_6K0jpl1Lu_FGYtV-jhmjtNPtSihYKWIFaL6yLfl_oGL6BdKZu2LgNLu6gFxEVzedPUDJEO7raYxg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | Windclothes56N-2A | 3 | https://facebook.com/61551835953609 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55493 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970809 | 65 | 2415141405356364 | 1 | 9.1679196604791E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508619450427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806459 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411092676_1174529616854101_4904865144927799774_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z8mqopZ1Hs8AX8uKB1f&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC7JKYK4l_-pTIS1lJh4TyiYB3dM7Jc37Cq8D44HG6HLw&oe=65875594 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411089131_903007258070206_2043311770545414098_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qRebeMAotXgAX_QCKMy&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB2kd6nMmxA5aGDVqjePAITZ0-3yzLqwbj673jWxQnMFw&oe=658749C1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56826 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970809 | 65 | 1514649339270833 | 1.297378697477E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495714867956 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 40-50% OFF | Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates | Start your New Year off with Wisdom. | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700485661 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKayuX-3JXIAX-Vv_7R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1FkVs7-o6DlSZiE05y9Vbk52SOlY1L1fF0WGby2iRgw&oe=6587F304 | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iIzwmS9EthQAX9kBnak&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDT9KM_3Lz_0oHSpkOlxL6To2SIHoMaCmhE_YJ6NmI5oA&oe=6587627A | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56247 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970809 | 65 | 24311489258497015 | 1 | 6.8211803446701E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 988423477976346 | 0 | Amelia Smith | 120201701252540606 | glamgirlscosmetics.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Christmas Giveaway! | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Christmas Giveaway! | https://glamgirlscosmetics.com/cooking/?kw=cv01 | 1701953489 | 9.8842347797635E+14 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406779742_339105962173170_5056262003075007823_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oruzNjTBdeQAX8AWDj2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgSskOHKrA_c1ptDyp99N0LwwiZ_3CmTai4YWxE8dnAQ&oe=65878B7F | person_profile | 0 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406833102_376767934744017_8297363069530963106_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DEBYOxn-4uAAX8vyD68&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAT_KpqUqJes-HE_JVGU-eRlFtMl70r-S7Trirds_BjQQ&oe=65877C04 | 0 | 3 | They're back again with another crazy giveaway from 𝗟é 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘁 - This time they're giving away FREE cookware sets! | Amelia Smith | 1257 | https://facebook.com/ameliasmithmakeup | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55685 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970809 | 65 | 7119020831490182 | 3.1054075861595E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102761368209901 | 0 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 6529577583581 | www.youtube.com | Watch more | NONE | video | 40th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade | https://www.youtube.com/@eatlivelovesanfernandovalley/ | 1702586063 | 1.027613682099E+14 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411217803_1417127005865135_7340869059141493892_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZcXtzMa6BrEAX_ZGYfu&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlwZn2R33OduhPpuy0SOjWtAP4bySzz91B6QXHApyppw&oe=65886766 | person_profile | 0 | Eat Live Love SFV | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411239431_1548959965851443_5461740923089502363_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Tml3cgByvY0AX_QJdiq&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCOqw29qqbHzEpPdT4sAMcUU5NW3tDBjs9HSZYxECptJQ&oe=65875A5E | 0 | 3 | #TBT to the magical moments of the 40th annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade 🎉🎄🕎❤ celebrating community spirit earlier this month. <br /> <br /> A huge THANK YOU to all the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible! 🙏 Your hard work and passion brought our community together in the most amazing way. | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 1829 | https://facebook.com/EatLiveLoveSanFernandoValley | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56356 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970809 | 65 | 1607176730088365 | 1 | 6.8008713090142E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 871611042878073 | 0 | Author Maggie Dallen | 6504534030556 | maggiedallenbooks.com | Shop now | NONE | image | 5 Books for 30% Off! | "Loved this book! The characters come to life!" - Joanna | https://maggiedallenbooks.com/products/the-bluestocking-battalion-series-bundle | 1701720688 | 8.7161104287807E+14 | Author Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405366815_846038920631527_7449271763625660106_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s_1mt_vLeJAAX_LfGMx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCj_OPFo8mHG9iz7ZR5dgznXkX3Oq03RkRoaiM7W-X8Jw&oe=65879DE5 | person_profile | 0 | Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393164589_1121831819223767_5027096180752419072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WHDt9tg_OxMAX9vHhDY&_nc_oc=AQnedoLin7L1nRCf_qdSwftVG2dOuVD0MTyZCwbA2Ui4s7qZ5amTkz5Bov0gQgcA9Y11_bIxXKS-bYmMkCohC5vn&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDb4jm11G3c4gLwCP7_YkRWCO8OE1pluHrSdI0B9Mcuhg&oe=65891F3A | 0 | 3 | The pirate doesn’t realize I’m a bookish wallflower when he finds me exploring the caves near town. He mistakes me for a spy.<br /> <br /> He takes me captive, and questions me... It's almost disappointing when he realizes I'm no threat, just a dutiful daughter with my whole life planned out.<br /> <br /> He lets me go. And I assume he’ll forget all about me as I return to my predictable routine.<br /> <br /> But days later, I see him again. At a ball, and dressed like a gentleman. <br /> <br /> He ignores my suitor as he asks me to dance. And as he pulls me into his arms, he says, "Little dove, did you really think I’d let you go so easily?"<br /> <br /> BOOK: Miss Minerva's Pirate Mishap<br /> <br /> What readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /> "I loved every book in this series! It was so fun to read about each sister finding adventure and love. If you love sweet regency romances...I highly recommend these books!" <br /> <br /> Get the 5 E-Books in this bundle series and save 30% today! The PERFECT way to support the author directly.<br /> <br /> After your purchase. Receive an email with the link to the ebook. <br /> <br /> Download the books with one click and send them to your kindle, tablet, or phone. And READ!<br /> <br /> Thank you for supporting me directly! 🥰 | Author Maggie Dallen | 2617 | https://facebook.com/MaggieDallenAuthor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56848 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970809 | 65 | 1521784001930510 | 2.2170545485052E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207691710403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724097 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404575547_274782311855068_8816608493321486824_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Iy6XoYlwop4AX82jzyI&_nc_oc=AQkdGJlF8L3KoYUvP8OCXHbBiIfj7LVMP9Q77YGIIWxfTvw0dkfEAG_rJhteUo1rs64&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBPYc8HdT7PTRnp4Oii3r_vI9gHT2E6dSR0wxSfg7y8fQ&oe=65888CA4 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404879579_1062969448159525_7477348340560381216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7n12MQFXLOgAX8NnasS&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYuNxLH1oI-jZArbPW8jCP_jBKaLbJ7fDN0T6Q8N7pIg&oe=6588C61D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56383 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970809 | 65 | 366188405963265 | 3 | 7.6711392198264E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100985606153947 | 0 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 120202285784080275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667414 | 1.0098560615395E+14 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408127834_866251651706615_2411937599000333263_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IF_Y6JJtm8oAX8m-fcK&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhbXqABPop5JHx4tto37uNQnMhvBjVloAQXrLhkijjIw&oe=6588151F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 393 | https://facebook.com/domesticatedcompanion.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55317 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970809 | 65 | 1313096442742716 | 1 | 8.0228156827527E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476341540743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977013 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410964385_844058874072375_7653728610574895023_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4KipFkzAGFMAX-9f7L6&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBR-A8Fub7WaZUsZISs-MzgmGSu5E-Xtp3SESLAhbNrMw&oe=658865EF | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410935515_744174494224627_9085144416777877589_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jqewx2tRpi8AX_i7mPU&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGqHlRh5DZ79Ki8dLBa-iuVt60Fd_Nyr-w9A3Xh1CzHg&oe=6588E0CB | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55896 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970809 | 65 | 876782264228729 | 2 | 7.0468594287293E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501559802089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428626 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409981168_262128723203492_2582884955041314936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FL0WvH3bCRMAX-M6gGP&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAX_jAHPcm-mFfVTn4N5orS-QSMdavvq9pTi1__SXTe2w&oe=6587D82B | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921225_1019799895876335_1851880440199130064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AyduRmIvaKwAX_nR2E9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2t3bcNnRQ2Hoz97If6Bz9RIklP6wzfMFzFC1VbUSh8w&oe=65884392 | 0 | 3 | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56904 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970810 | 65 | 354740530386886 | 5 | 1.0051758140478E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779083570250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678135 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405259946_862600855406763_4157166056653863836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6gXCaL0aLqsAX-E4POt&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDMh2ZEp-1Ls-x_Ciow27lXvzR3qZiSRrP9BEzKwzPxVg&oe=6588EBFA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55348 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970810 | 65 | 381368044378903 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX9cwQWs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05FTWn1zLnUezV4SXE5rPEtweCSXAPbbSzNDzu5DtA&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55994 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970810 | 65 | 743057011004977 | 1 | 2.9814889262389E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201679243520743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702368862 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406865856_290405336799595_7364209221413467292_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jxi4hqqQ8_UAX8Z7tdW&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDsf4-Wm3fW-Vck9W1JmOjGg01FFIhz4TcyZSHPZB4dqA&oe=65881177 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408504411_376591534754717_7733136875022910216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rh3V1sugdtAAX-MFmNs&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBtnjnBODH11IMDIJaedwqzthnqWAIgYUUFDpMUOm7uTg&oe=65885577 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56081 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970810 | 65 | 404308938690496 | 1 | 2.8768642091952E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204871670770427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702211039 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409713496_1563446967751868_1355177338974375817_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lF70SgUOM64AX-JR6Qg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDnyV9BE4CjesdunQAQhRZ8UAYbskr55y_jY_qenWoLCQ&oe=65891C87 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409756348_1394664261434919_2853479656894470638_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NTjK_9yhOXwAX9b37qO&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDoBk0c9dfZil8zo97lLpNoCKL8w45kCBdOg7FBMeqwJQ&oe=6588B140 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56905 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970811 | 65 | 357704596666313 | 5 | 1.7938580343989E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102865022224801 | 0 | Tell All Know All | 120200721466810167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679791 | 1.028650222248E+14 | Tell All Know All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762291_1473273089884334_200510394569536447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=myoXacbeIywAX9F0xi-&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPKE0VUFFA6GLSDz7FUUosTrj2f6a4MduBIZf2DcoEEw&oe=65890CC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Tell All Know All | 330 | https://facebook.com/100076181432751 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56015 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/9/24, 3:14 AM | 1703105776 | 1733735687 | 65 | 1067647671350437 | 1.0169349527236E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216190860123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310367 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409564493_377514224649203_1690575282712593921_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yK310mVXjfEAX9RglsA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDnVkkQYI6DrZhoDOWEIVihjDBQLilCSYBICiv_EOo3ng&oe=65882CE7 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409693236_1060068771975764_4705895185096444029_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BwF5fxZdcxYAX8_3qy6&_nc_oc=AQnKpfW_-gELWuKa0tGof6BsQ2qw9EyWCpO7M7tcuToje9r5wL1KAyatZTnFL1-iaCw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAh9jIg09rDELHOC2vxDhVPdGxUhEp6s7fYRKZZD4iuiQ&oe=6587ECAA | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55974 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970812 | 65 | 2629874740507411 | 1 | 1.0220405357682E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143608210670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374887 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409969258_1524974978044236_4874162312977027092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSX9yyKEn-YAX8Y7NEv&_nc_oc=AQmeCZeZc_p43IHGJChm8b6L6dgE70YV_3IL4Z6Xm-xI6rGG9MuptEo938zbVk9Xo1Y&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCHpFf8XXebX4p8c1bXmhzP490S9r-Ro5RbdgGsxwxPbA&oe=65878E92 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408887934_168090596366512_1314253674861531645_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IMNyBmznwIkAX_cRztE&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDY8QQ2LfzIpibuj1DAqWvmq50RHOvROP5QHXOj5DbB-Q&oe=65887ACA | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55907 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970812 | 65 | 718271909976585 | 3.6399136596004E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 338490086641261 | 0 | Dayglow | 6500418749689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702080807 | 3.3849008664126E+14 | Dayglow | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408019937_1158615185102843_4227542146418384826_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pJRv97P5ng8AX-TFaWu&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCfk4QR_1Zw-unP3Ds-55qWZlO29cmLQH32aYCj7amleQ&oe=65880A0D | person_profile | 0 | Dayglow (Sloan Struble) | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408027778_872809454427872_4056340509172941993_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8CL1UH53IKEAX_RasF9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDq3v0n1DkOByndizyPaNZPsJgatyc_-Ixjt72_s_mDnw&oe=658873A4 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Dayglow | 36804 | https://facebook.com/dayglowband | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55964 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970813 | 65 | 1103668407205861 | 2 | 3.7343665201549E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 108954990605691 | 0 | Biomolecules MDPI | 120202479381720217 | NONE | image | 1702386800 | 1.0895499060569E+14 | Biomolecules MDPI | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409174150_1413728092515491_3066854868230667182_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UdrpV9COpp8AX9t1B8V&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVVI6S0VSXW9LTC8nZe4O4_OfexNm5KYXK2oPxWKVP_A&oe=6587E7C5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Recently Published <br /> <br /> Read now ➡️ "MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Histone-Modifying Enzymes in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications" by Joanna Szczepanek and Andrzej Tretyn from Nicolaus Copernicus University. <br /> <br /> The article 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ft.ly%2Fdm4dD&h=AT291fSt_xn-efvkPdhj7a6OwnS4OKqWcpAA0__ktmeRkm7jjgszNZM8rrS8ioyCrXlYXeoUw_b5EmukTEPZON8_Kb91jyp5J7gmKUO2nZCIwshvze7vMt1mRpi8XA8kUGQbfJIEpP-biQKgfdtviOOUUn5ZOx7KqObThw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://t.ly/dm4dD</a> | Biomolecules MDPI | 5083 | https://facebook.com/BiomoleculesMDPIJournal | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56552 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970813 | 65 | 2080604745613904 | 1 | 1.0826600160853E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103802798475201 | 0 | Navona Records | 120201198956330156 | navonarecords.com | NONE | image | The Inside Story: Joanna Estelle and TRANSMUTATION – Navona Records | Discover how she learned to trust her inner compositional voice, and how the radio broadcasts of her youth inadvertently shaped her artistic influences. | https://www.navonarecords.com/news/inside-story-joanna-estelle-transmutation/ | 1701185300 | 1.038027984752E+14 | Navona Records | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405518743_1039226990455674_3582554839739535726_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fW9fug_0Hq0AX_XHYKQ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDzP_POGzGc-KTueukxG8Sy5ynr3wemOE2yRQLbJG214Q&oe=6588EAE8 | person_profile | 0 | Navona Records | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406201643_337389665689087_8889397582059929543_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XQ2rn8EzUQcAX-cM6gY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAkYMFdLlsDTkK3r5CtmDV93dUlukdYL_QkFOuPFpFxQ&oe=6588DFEC | 0 | 3 | Composer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Joanna-Estelle/100066700864475/">Joanna Estelle</a> hopes that her new Navona Records release, TRANSMUTATION, "will open the door for each listener to find something in the sound to which they can relate." More from Estelle in this #InsideStory.<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.navonarecords.com%2Fnews%2Finside-story-joanna-estelle-transmutation%2F&h=AT3bijVgdRSCQr5_Ltc9ntRsBZs8NBFbMG4gMZZhIy-PpdgS6Bhg5u65usAI3YfiF8jqNZrjp15CFsmfj_1vXTAU2508ow2r077CrD1bipHaDHexw33thJcgPgGnkAnMxNXX21hbfCtpcymUJXAK-Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.navonarecords.com/news/inside-story-joanna-estelle-transmutation/</a> | Navona Records | 1887 | https://facebook.com/navonarecords | 0 | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55437 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970813 | 65 | 898758071447296 | 1 | 2.6594400142131E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1212315052125863 | 0 | Bloom Yoga | 120203919637250152 | lucybloomyoga.com | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.lucybloomyoga.com/pages/sisters-of-the-moon | 1702893349 | 1.2123150521259E+15 | Bloom Yoga | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411080247_887629313072621_5046380190058502155_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lMf_sk88rfoAX_gQe5u&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQ5ZuyG1XwwdSgSXFTIRjIozpW5yBxGkAqq73ttZwV9A&oe=6587DAA1 | person_profile | 0 | B L O O M by Lucybloom Webb | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411163335_850184440238794_2111505777103038732_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7R1zZRu1VmgAX8SkR3A&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAe8Vf__vjvwDIaAIFrr-I-6Hhd1j8_CDrSPs8D6tWycA&oe=658779E3 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Bloom Yoga | 574 | https://facebook.com/lucybloomyoga | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55659 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970813 | 65 | 269315202805698 | 1 | 6.6394846694956E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 780337918979151 | 0 | Legacy Mosaic | 6552604587861 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/legacymosaic | 1702621111 | 7.8033791897915E+14 | Legacy Mosaic | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410834982_3562429804028056_3293782284019217138_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F2elPOmUVckAX-O5Nsu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBQnb5N-2JcLwLpy4L811X7MeGLR41VFS8U_UapRLvR3Q&oe=6588172D | person_profile | 0 | Katy Antill | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410595326_3679522978952361_6098251639085687265_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dF8uIMWQ9X4AX8m0ZB1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3OqH6xZUVROT1BKIjepexSiTSW1pFRHa3VQDK27uT8Q&oe=658879CC | 0 | 3 | The studio has been hard at work in 2023! Thanks to the City of Wylie,Texas for awarding me this very special commission for the entrance to their Municipal Walking Trails. The Revery will be installed soon! Grateful to have partnered with the creative craftsman @renfrowco for their amazing steel work. 👏👏👏My team @legacymosaic never quit! ❤️Thank you @gayleflem123 @joanna.brandt.1234 @wkantill @middle_sister_ceramics @pblarkin ❤️STAY TUNED FOR INSTALLATION PICS COMING SOON! @wylierecreation @wideawakewylie <br /> @ktbantill @katyantillart<br /> #legacymosaic #katyantillart #mosaicart #publicart #sculpture #blacklandprairie #mosaicartist #wylietx | Legacy Mosaic | 285 | https://facebook.com/legacymosaic | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56560 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970814 | 65 | 2339938436191710 | 3 | 7.5655151964125E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109697740494976 | 0 | Word Farm Adventure | 120201494511460413 | play.google.com | Play game | NONE | video | Renovate the farm🚜🌾 | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wordfarm.scapes | 1701165951 | 1.0969774049498E+14 | Word Farm Adventure | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406208557_777667474108995_1650746019540814396_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rv8U2LAXQC0AX-h8TFu&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClTFu2nZ-Jl04tb7t1t8GdDDstw5dETtieXb3FphiNSg&oe=6587D7F5 | person_profile | 0 | Mad Brain Games | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406202600_645981064278679_8039667885697435374_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BZpsTmq6A80AX8CHMUT&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCJHY10sQ5_5Lzed3Xdp083ceHlwsReROHnwuHDPlWGfw&oe=65885222 | 0 | 3 | 🌙 Word Farm Adventure: Find Peace in Puzzles - Unwind, Unplug, and Boost Brain Fitness in 10 Minutes! 🧩 | Word Farm Adventure | 17867 | https://facebook.com/wordfarmadventure | 0 | PLAY_GAME | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55325 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970814 | 65 | 360765666539539 | 1 | 1.0117283265519E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475619230743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976805 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410958807_1151193502531421_8372088273117159713_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V6aOEKLJML4AX97aTVp&_nc_oc=AQlMveK33MG_H_SDr4P47N3UJUlQroXYZMOsQvN-EzuFz1T6sOxe6zceDAny1HSeeEI&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCE2ZLNGfcEfh702s6W3mfhYGQ63X7-UdHrHle68c5vzA&oe=65883D93 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410959081_1031463294775899_2509517458248682676_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=88euRHdXE5cAX8ebuyn&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDSneB6ZI1q0BXPMiRa2D8uInANSdWBPmojt35nHwc8Hw&oe=65890CA8 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55919 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 5:25 PM | 1703105775 | 1747607128 | 65 | 679547817326085 | 3.5401332059324E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 628160127204842 | 0 | Current Joys | 6501554690889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | https://www.kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427282 | 6.2816012720484E+14 | Current Joys | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409964926_352434554144676_7923030007758015649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DjzrbIWvycIAX9jA71i&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA3AEHssrR8JAHXKgLonjgEOV7dex4tHBzsjshQJUXB2Q&oe=6587E435 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024!<br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3Js8fGrN16A-iWwHvwbchhphhUhLDd-sKKnm5RnknOHY8Xi0V5PIc8voL6ENN5_t5pugq6vgs08qkTAFeU9zYeBuZOxvMRZasY4rY0icIoj_OWvv1f_Pzu4fbrFHEBz27Z-kjJfWu3CqnhzBu8PPfuNWGh3T6zALUYpQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Current Joys | 34308 | https://facebook.com/currentjoys | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56734 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/5/24, 7:57 AM | 1703105783 | 1725541076 | 65 | 667716522139591 | 3 | 3.3691307565019E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632014810115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796601 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403754422_1618359928695330_254622667239683659_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4jXWpSsjXXgAX9XP4bw&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAsa2CpDgJeNtmQMtl8OGGA1n4QUMi9vxUhYSI3MUDY2g&oe=65880812 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403738176_379333321189996_7009306592597804158_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v65Emy5b_0QAX8JSlF7&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCz0yuHfpY2OkP-VTFCJI7vobCJAPqS1gyXXsA2RW5JPA&oe=6587F16B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56763 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970815 | 65 | 337689062210484 | 1 | 7.0441829164866E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343772970404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843456 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405175391_1060958305054281_3175986494341622649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2cCUNekrRHcAX9R4_uP&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwEOX_tMAhiyGppmhXUoimxGGo5-rgh2BFprNGPyC2rA&oe=6587A8EC | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405170132_1053004245943731_9036527778015854173_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C47xaOm9qnQAX9hkdXM&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAcmJHP3GGbwCW4cZHYcIGr4CtOoELPcSlsuFHQkc0eig&oe=65876B34 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55837 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970815 | 65 | 328562119952305 | 1 | 1.1392542008183E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411471860044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458276 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410729877_1032756504444658_142985976787177294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=INxXB-6k6_QAX9J4Ao6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5O0oMSqyf_v_knoVB-coCDPTLg8HQRqRsTS4McVCZcg&oe=65892A26 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410722994_889297919441282_2601534862225163019_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=enO6Ek0HnCoAX9-lF81&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAvZnCHQufI_5DDEasKwLHpGUyAePkEC1fnhtkhS2F0mQ&oe=65880079 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56765 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/9/25, 8:07 AM | 1703105784 | 1744204023 | 65 | 1061557941636460 | 1 | 1.0139914263397E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343759290404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843633 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404633546_997487641317138_1063513504499232593_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PjG0iOobTvoAX898Q49&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMYmVqCxXRPSmzllyGOGBcxNbl7iwU5Qn496yBTTmHKg&oe=6588338A | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404309492_3561088747463723_4409540689903583594_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mIqUZYRuz5YAX_WX33Y&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhjQBr-N7rA-Wr5AyfA7EYqNdVIu_VWsJXEsIzcIx5Wg&oe=65883024 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56781 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970815 | 65 | 1011121650160025 | 1 | 3.3433176254185E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220421300404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582418 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404667107_886186376348114_1206540913351692213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pmpZBdDiqvcAX_8nSF_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAOZ9j1vAdICqoAU0FhMyuR5QQ60TxxNSsEMZhVat38BQ&oe=658824D6 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404269298_1031099654877168_3292082578104835116_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9B1EV3sNRdkAX_8EV1E&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAflF8O3Rq9zn6NiK_b24gZKgG8GIhJ1dEDgD1LD0D7eQ&oe=658844A0 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55978 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970815 | 65 | 238105149299412 | 1 | 8.6549293845301E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143505250670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374835 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410151918_659140582960566_7087109149773431755_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d1Pjdf8sAGYAX9FEd8S&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBp26ivJ63QaH1V53s_80ZI0AeEKiYZ0aQt79WzKYo9CQ&oe=6587FA64 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408967430_378524104579204_3515399855471050808_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_iNCVpYsLakAX-BRsI2&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDnmf6HwMtRdjhkqQ0VnvSW3nhMUHXGXhUVYDXzNcAnCQ&oe=6587E707 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55318 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/22/24, 3:51 AM | 1703105768 | 1724316686 | 65 | 6685568528236086 | 1 | 1.0037554606896E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476007050743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977099 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410807536_661337256170833_342973555984157247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=879jXhmv6oYAX_we5o6&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCPNaIFP8FCrjXNIuqD6h4NYLi4fj6jV9xhvi0-D3c9QA&oe=658777CB | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410676897_332800289697336_5590951382735954857_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4N794Bc4ndwAX80FjoP&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvFj_L2jenkyJ8uUNmLQ4LSIP5tu7gxvyLt0syv168YQ&oe=65874D8C | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56250 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970816 | 65 | 1315635225800714 | 1 | 3.4309742175747E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997450990476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940986 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408864038_904708817652099_341064543969459550_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IitHGS73lW4AX8pxzHh&_nc_oc=AQlhajijyRUAiD_-imQbqmCYBS6zjrFYNeOlFuCFzANxNzaLEgYA2K8k-S2fI_5A08Hk6ZXtexJxyyEL_tCWqg4P&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMfwfUAHfbUOZX-ZIpvtlWo5XcdR9_PvdWOX-abs_DJA&oe=65876A56 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407933367_3752721475050936_1801787912336114582_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WBIMdaVakXoAX8llh_x&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAeMwmto-PE_O__7pZgDvmqRpNffBYNj3tzFynCKjdWjw&oe=6588EE48 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56469 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970816 | 65 | 2504834516363669 | 1 | 2.27889934578E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 578313285668155 | 0 | Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics | 6459943216234 | Send message | NONE | video | 1701346210 | 5.7831328566816E+14 | Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404740367_24273171098964333_8239557174144620474_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_kY2ZeNwsdMAX-3xi4T&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCyz6a8EA7d7tqTRO5u-uDPtww0JkA_gGiC7zpW2hjq6w&oe=65888BEB | person_profile | 0 | Oxford Uehiro Centre for Pract | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404762723_737769617763930_191869049256612696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oqFuy_jjgI4AX85u6bR&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA8oQ8HykYdpd7i554MTicUDBWd4U65QO2al5tYfqtzXw&oe=65877671 | 0 | 3 | Interested in difficult ethical questions about the world today? In Year 11-13 (or international equivalent)? Take part in our global ethics and responsibility competition! Deadline 8th January:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk%2Fpractical-ethics-and-responsibility-competition&h=AT3lfKpO2c5G18PRrplMJMBwbLeRSHcyvlI9kZoWsIVC6Db8gsheeCq7rj4Blkfvuy_hst0BrR7b6XDAGuhcIZ248z4RfSp0N0aov7OxGZ7eYTluXlQT6aMhWdmNfEV4dGNrRargbsYJUA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/practical-ethics-and-responsibility-competition</a> | Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics | 1652 | https://facebook.com/OxfordUehiro | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56958 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 12:37 AM | 1703105786 | 1746941851 | 65 | 1050462289488142 | 8.6183418227823E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779111620250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678187 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619723_1061366564892535_5544603005193099836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CJsQ5x3dQlgAX-Cj6-s&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFGLg5Fs5QVJreGAr9s6iJbE7UJ4i4BxRHlwZLy2MoYQ&oe=658876C4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56741 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970816 | 65 | 1034193087829317 | 1 | 7.3010015902504E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632239320115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796935 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403072671_750063893608491_5071615344283409007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AmoRHNyzSEcAX_RoJTr&_nc_oc=AQkDvW9GCfCMeYcnwGfRC0rjr9gScJH6FftkupItxAEBBRbDXDelshyu8fnmkr_di1qxcbnu724zlgGCAz-_yZc6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQ8zcpfgBGfsw-gHdZw04i4I7m-Sf1aXq1d0Ya-v0gCQ&oe=658811E8 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403064180_242614755503087_7369087251295079478_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DHBepQq4nYUAX-SdauH&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCdqkBfiD5zBO3BGAsByHlhEXEvLml4zZbWaHXcQU6JMQ&oe=658876AD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55513 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970817 | 65 | 675575024703082 | 1 | 3.4034032540981E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765664870465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702464 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410956505_676219714501107_6693514429802342267_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wcXX33DHm1QAX9MJcLn&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCVbJOpxA4_gPT6qNnalJDJANveUK85F1L7RvT2fABDmg&oe=6588F7E1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410923686_891319302232406_5148493079468079744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S2D0TV9DiLIAX9gIXL3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDL-t65T2zIB7P-i2yN2pNZKzfKPPdX34wWF6GvFzm9g&oe=65876717 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56804 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970817 | 65 | 724622672890683 | 2 | 9.9595591483504E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632035960115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796614 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403873617_880602426849525_5929196506416961951_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iTw721GPGo4AX8s3sVH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQwBI7lkiH9JD6OvgXdhO1El_yYkPLCG5zvtdFTWN18w&oe=6588A026 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403891595_882044056472421_4263304889018970210_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AiT0DcRJmBoAX-s5nQm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDX-DzEQeuhu3P80_QtQGw8IeXaTikExt0G9Ca-4w4Yag&oe=658823CD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56985 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970817 | 65 | 1740076229797889 | 5 | 1.0021451142252E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779372070250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678800 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WzhiA5pG13sAX-9fvYY&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAoV5lStlOuNViJGjri02sDau-RxjfupQM1R6ISHUx-6w&oe=658766A6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56964 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 2:53 PM | 1703105786 | 1746820399 | 65 | 1090372055303939 | 5 | 1.0156560028262E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721035170167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678881 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403723303_340445045354355_4047403071000238198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBZ7kHTb8TwAX8zBkWm&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC5dY_6qsT5X8Lc3r1unjp1Fkz2oFa9X9sQ1akHe4ulGA&oe=658873C3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56273 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970818 | 65 | 321176254102673 | 1 | 8.8928392608308E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 128661730334801 | 0 | The best calendar for android | 120202221703920636 | facebook.com | Like Page | NONE | image | The best calendar for android | https://www.facebook.com/128661730334801 | 1701935689 | 1.286617303348E+14 | The best calendar for android | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408459851_1084352696330403_6028482732536906206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OS_DB8Quto8AX9N7c14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnpFdAJn630ltbXzSO_PC3_Nb_56n8ekWm_ESrQDgweQ&oe=6588809A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Strona o najlepszym polskim kalendarzu w Google Play. | The best calendar for android | 635 | https://facebook.com/61551661155788 | 0 | LIKE_PAGE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56703 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970818 | 65 | 1087178679317358 | 3 | 3.6750709584826E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674067390115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969814 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405741227_332064549533888_569206459819120544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yRl8CKy022EAX-g-EZA&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB6aep_AGhNdqncwlmUCx0jwUWMbbwWWlUC7D-MicN57Q&oe=6588B6D1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405761552_899992311475047_5209107122285690033_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uzX554dB1fAAX8kjap7&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiSS_cG2xq3A8m7orFYWCKxq6s-26b0rX4MK6NwHz8jQ&oe=65880A37 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55669 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970818 | 65 | 1415461089067778 | 1 | 7.0744182468568E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203185829780102 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611523 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409752687_1042455520170354_3486276738559578557_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D7uDENUi1o4AX-GjW6d&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBQjtLI48wrMCXIkKnKU-jNmSw1_2zSoGOLA_PaNtYQ_w&oe=65881B13 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56963 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970818 | 65 | 2110861875972784 | 1.4784743894358E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721418430167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679704 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404571232_367729272457304_8979649860983857110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CIzFRI5dzqcAX-OFiUn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDH4nCcCHxzK0YPogPbo3_0kBEGR45VUN98CBpFTMcBQ&oe=6588BF33 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56770 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970818 | 65 | 374649444912749 | 1 | 7.1696856064174E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220421130404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582444 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403103898_1134245850877167_964907827369330014_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YgGl68-RO8wAX_FGUd-&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCv3ELWs1AM3WixX11mKl6G3yRfgc6DBYqub5QTU-hZ8Q&oe=6589430A | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402935410_660109496299930_8594020976261400489_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0AXTcYxcQscAX8hphRF&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCT_mLwfqJx-9NCKN26Vfmo-Atpv20VgwXG4BsYOIbQFA&oe=658940FF | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56775 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970818 | 65 | 835749784904558 | 1 | 7.3097819559688E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220476820404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582514 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404274901_898199298316098_5855596065691252797_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HBzstgEMBvIAX9pXZo9&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAYMjLXvudcOCE3mafRPIWgW4EG_1Eevze1LduLNwhOkw&oe=65878A76 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402964722_1092774285408021_8409005436153726193_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k7qqc14zG9gAX-JJvkb&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfA1Ty_h0DH1kENC4T6PSFIU5p6vmvo5smqhb2o8lHODhA&oe=65876C0E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56890 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/1/25, 2:57 PM | 1703105785 | 1751399836 | 65 | 327846946650646 | 1.1104183366128E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105318458419634 | 0 | Fully Delicious - Images | 120200721278410167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679319 | 1.0531845841963E+14 | Fully Delicious - Images | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404558025_3293112430978708_5909986734546003458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-G2EFL55magAX8ru_OK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2nxK2bWSWfxnmjQhA3xtxSZ0u-NDGbr_8t0XZgK6Bdw&oe=6588DFB9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Fully Delicious - Images | 711 | https://facebook.com/100069380589760 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55369 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970820 | 65 | 1017112262696845 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56510 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970820 | 65 | 1410002279870318 | 2 | 1.0621226348372E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734070226 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256549 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405723184_244581505100081_1755424207230272702_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DcJIY97BRe0AX-g-EVS&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAmkuh8w76-jtgmbFDadCqMcM6Mnu2pgyYo-wTpgDsrRA&oe=65874BDC | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406433553_900414411048183_3707869285371380712_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P8EoKVLybVMAX9stpk1&_nc_oc=AQlclyWU8-kgbVmPMw79Nmuv_KOq9HlHrMYQxytUnsUNltoCddm6Dtm75Jap5E4xOfWj6Ueh9h0ej0tCjk6RjadA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBL1geu4GwcaDmF1t_5tCP3J1aho9BFsDMydV7r349Wxw&oe=65879F59 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56624 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970820 | 65 | 170706899458253 | 1 | 3.2389665708804E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281105710596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068390 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404618862_661494626165099_4267992424115448715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EMI0_1mePvkAX8f2h-r&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfABAxaSsfgt5EUGNJ9baJiF_zECTaX8WoIVqbT0jxd1pQ&oe=6588C17E | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404783565_1600139704122932_7891200109032418031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SeZddld11_AAX9MHouz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQ9o4Mg2Rc7UDuuPdsfT7n5DazsHeDO5d0tLcMccoG4Q&oe=6587F2F0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56131 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 9:56 AM | 1703105777 | 1724079403 | 65 | 323201490672080 | 1 | 6.7473634475131E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155243180476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094412 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406751566_7182211745190754_3566245080575107881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cgIq4DOe040AX-CJEk_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxIAqphs_GzluBg6NlJCFgOM5CtL2bwrCZieWCxVaDZA&oe=6588CDAB | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406765785_1119895282752924_6274886905408315099_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ybyQofNJb-MAX_az0tp&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDCYwo83ILoBpriDNHp2Ej788MFns6dC-X6WcGuX7M__g&oe=6587D7BD | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56463 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970820 | 65 | 819261766624277 | 1 | 2.8665761601487E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120203672218000230 | leonis.gr | Book now | NONE | image | Leonis Summer Houses Mykonos – A complex of 4 houses, 2 studios, 1 suite and 1 villa, built according to the traditional Mykonian architecture in a 5000 square meters field. | Joanna and Orfeas always shared a passion for traveling and they loved the sea. They learned how to sail and they loved to cruise around the Greek islands. The island that had a special place in their heart was Mykonos, which they discovered long before people started yelling “Mykonooooos” on qu... | https://leonis.gr/ | 1701351078 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406374327_6408297359270469_5252889787024315263_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qFaIHuChyDgAX_ac9Xh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdSJMCC3IHiUHe-wtBj_EVguSVoo2BvxfT4DHQcfKCQA&oe=658933D2 | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406233204_6460083070763301_3150064974303887988_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IyeWZTwfsO8AX9EI3_f&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA-5_3RgBV56mYS_iQX7MRjVROGY0kLCa6__-SXXNfSTg&oe=6588D77D | 0 | 3 | Time flies and, before you can say “suntan”, this hotelier will once again be taking care of every single detail, so that you get to have the most incredible holidays in #mykonos.<br /> <br /> If you haven’t picked your sea view room yet (don’t forget that ALL rooms within Leonis Summer Houses offer a breathtaking sea view), then you should probably head over at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT2pAQUifK2h-lZbtTsCcxiV3M3YqKF2Acc7rSG-zyZH2FwZx80ySvfQR_R3GAOlB2TXXJhzbkLwDUG2DV3YCULztZXMNibmLlV5ZVsca7W2qLC33ODGZOHtYYDQBlE2OsfGsZbR8Jlr5A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or send your request at welcome@leonis.gr.<br /> <br /> Season premiere 20 April 2023 | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56788 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970821 | 65 | 868461308619135 | 2 | 3.4232712848285E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201123540070123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700827948 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404617422_1363814377561988_7113541317899086296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xgF68b7B3egAX9Wu8I_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDFQiKwo4r_BR7wFx3VNBsMs2_bjqJpyK7IlT1BXARZOg&oe=6587F5CF | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404631331_362762229482759_6102477019058025046_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=durIBpn9k6gAX-ZPnaB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAkXLkJRKM4wEkDwpb5scjZtqQUTrzLZsqNExfb-fTX-w&oe=6588D274 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56975 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/12/25, 5:33 PM | 1703105786 | 1747089233 | 65 | 1406282060325583 | 1.0318422547396E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721011560167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678821 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404328773_1017772942786960_6287617802985419107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fiLiPGFBw6UAX-mXH24&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEFll7jCjYDoa6MW5vtIFCIaJhdpyNPhZiIDuTmsiA1A&oe=6588C10F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56555 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970821 | 65 | 720273586285678 | 1 | 8.5898746585465E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685804240123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053429 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402162568_1063652217992205_8708779396906899641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NeUjfMCHxIQAX_XO1IA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB9Fz-U8cILMndY5UN82RxXP32hSeou2d0s0yWp_Sqqdw&oe=658831B0 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401473019_1597523760784902_6608858444847777742_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3k6pdKplpSoAX_aAy25&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB99CB_OxQ_e36c1JqFvZiaoAGg3SsM_ezVwORFSgn9ng&oe=65875CC4 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55619 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970821 | 65 | 369318832301806 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 129725353553172 | 0 | Cruising in Style | 120202287048260593 | yachtsandcars.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.yachtsandcars.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702565620 | 1.2972535355317E+14 | Cruising in Style | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411077697_2303790876478437_5685403719510257428_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jdTYZyjIqAEAX_gumOZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBm1c95H7iM50YThpzWM0xet6IRyvlt5ta_FQhT5xdvsQ&oe=658756BB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Cruising in Style | 12 | https://facebook.com/61551040686233 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55365 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 1:39 PM | 1703105769 | 1750963157 | 65 | 1505917606858837 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56392 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970822 | 65 | 831327435671429 | 10 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202284802710275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666212 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711957_320852694061493_31200323843037610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oOsaqimWoXsAX9-WODY&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAO_BNh6vCwxH5SxHcsEB7Y6xve5rsweId0YcT-pmOypA&oe=65879BC2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56911 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970822 | 65 | 662267829230439 | 1.3615746614205E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721229280167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679210 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404277972_1474047976500268_5505304021207958587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z141r6EMTGkAX9RlEXw&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCBr0z1hA_-cKlmhq9aMOtRxKe8oHU41FpykZ3I-YELaA&oe=65888F78 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56590 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970823 | 65 | 722028976514335 | 1 | 7.4010827131417E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201716000690115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140551 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405812101_1046605616598895_4893163478746063162_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BpQVI-egjcgAX-XD6D9&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDPJYMk1lfn43-7Wkt8YNbMccsy3Qj2oUb4UGyJjHbiew&oe=65884AB1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405793306_875932034164200_9051107551516836448_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8urkaqzFN34AX_AHPzV&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfChAivRoDnCQRN5sTb9lM_6IwqpqeewfWUSJRgsEvJTKQ&oe=6588165A | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55577 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/29/25, 5:30 PM | 1703105771 | 1745965811 | 65 | 3351479441664900 | 8.9899647503778E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011735920506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636912 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410413631_859368129211573_7125357610097033371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R58l4ttCQWwAX9A6ZPs&_nc_oc=AQnAoBJ2Pl2SmyyhczNUz0g2cp_R0P2jgcIrIBQVLPdE4eoPWaND1DaYUA96BSNJxLg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDRosDUPHkwm-pZ_jfflCqBO1VQwdspRSzejndvgsJ72w&oe=6587567D | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410387103_1774020766357618_3401972616504963270_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ppf_BrNBhawAX8lKYsI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlMBhmo6Xn4cWlH7OxAIBihySmJ5yQUYojfKgRO5qcRQ&oe=65889738 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56430 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 5:28 AM | 1703105780 | 1747304918 | 65 | 285023754006704 | 1 | 3.2095685412808E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200871747310773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/jkbjam0gbh0sthbqrnksj02p?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701413667 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406757059_1650929288770099_6388247781623058401_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mekhlw5KibIAX9kBLPd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCcfOiUhzSXpGtqO3ISYz6M3DJdIGe_69ZDlgQ4XVTogg&oe=658751A8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406428378_630109502666323_1544374102668484668_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SVtL2usaIBwAX-pUblM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfASvGBBUUjiwEsBO7ZsMgQMdYQeync3B0qmIiCmO8DsJA&oe=65892A1E | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥A car accident, at their engagement party, he decides to marry another woman. She throws the engagement ring he gifted her right back at him, wishing him never to regret his decisions. She assumed she could finally let go of everything and leave, but is pulled into a room by a stranger man. His hot breath ignites the room's temperature, "Help me, I will take responsibility for you." After that night, a priceless ring is forcibly adorned on her ring finger.<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56048 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970823 | 65 | 392104786580979 | 1 | 8.7687747412059E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498173650278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287785 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409684058_1091612025332014_706394137633398903_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=69UiWTCnXgIAX9xehDd&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8EmC_9fViF4ooDFPj2uVqOocdoBlBBtftLGCnpwwq1A&oe=6587BACC | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409629413_895349561858997_3995932322286752875_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X3Bu3ChmyFcAX_mEqZE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZYQkt_2czRmdmq_GMEx7JnG6Wuv9EYAsFvjT_INZMNg&oe=65886500 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55833 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970824 | 65 | 1799871253775412 | 1 | 1.5025523936237E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411476110044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458288 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409579732_1098427461516935_3821365913120404506_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_YLBziO8Z54AX-gEKp0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXb5WOuU5dqjoeQU66lDXWcou3kQ5s_17OAsvH4blHmQ&oe=65882327 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409721424_691377436303178_7314264846861866653_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1IHsv93nEi8AX8xOZF6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCvdWCJAbH4SemaJd6MI2WvqGCyeuyZmUkxlZh4MuhK4g&oe=65888375 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55882 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970824 | 65 | 1046907803207844 | 1 | 6.8632471027346E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 214175789304493 | 0 | Joanna Hernandez | 120202369444330467 | instagram.com | Contact us | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/realestatebyjoannna | 1702430232 | 2.1417578930449E+14 | Joanna Hernandez | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409179924_400555952554543_108165930107976201_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=geFN5k_K0EIAX8pKrZ2&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBNyrfGRw3GVqvrj_ym844IMMR3YJVfiOsoIdqk2fj8Pw&oe=65883EC1 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Hernandez | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409171157_2597373253750290_6322263746960340211_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rUi5EyEO-AIAX-I8gPG&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKdOeKaCS9dGWKikcyglAvtSZBOrroOpZzSZO21sULWA&oe=6587E58C | 0 | 3 | Knowing how to apply knowledge strategically is Key 🔑 <br /> <br /> And we have the experts to Help you! <br /> <br /> KATHERINE MENJIVAR<br /> <br /> OSCAR HERNANDEZ<br /> <br /> CHRISTY DUEÑAS <br /> <br /> JOANNA HERNANDEZ <br /> <br /> PROMISE PROPERTIES GROUP<br /> CATTELL REAL ESTATE INC. | Joanna Hernandez | 177 | https://facebook.com/Realestatebyjoanna | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56384 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 6:56 AM | 1703105780 | 1747569371 | 65 | 178920051908744 | 7.6711392198264E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100985606153947 | 0 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 120202285756880275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667314 | 1.0098560615395E+14 | DomesticatedCompanion Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406515566_325589643569428_5139173390030374635_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_wn6cB9YEH4AX-R_qyg&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDV7ZXI4eZLDz_ZfJn2m0gDEckd9kxT49qDY2zZeYKA-A&oe=658838E6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DomesticatedCompanion Español | 393 | https://facebook.com/domesticatedcompanion.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56319 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/14/25, 7:53 AM | 1703105779 | 1736841180 | 65 | 3715843788672628 | 1 | 7.1588553382164E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120200846787940328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/693685982688320/ | 1701854971 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406760389_899539427851338_4632689979285316454_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lnLVWPxi06UAX9ZeHFD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfAvdVrJCObzdNK02S3wuY2rwZSMJ94lYanwZsXBwmVQ&oe=6587D665 | 0 | 3 | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment - $745.00<br /> <br /> 🏡 For Rent: Recently Remodeled 1 Bed, 1 Bath Apartment 🛁<br /> <br /> Discover comfort in this renovated gem! Enjoy the convenience of nearby restaurants and shopping. Step into a spacious living area with a patio featuring a sliding glass door. This apartment boasts modern amenities including a dishwasher, walk-in closet, and is cable/wifi ready. Embrace outdoor activities with a basketball court and a charming picnic area equipped with a grills. Appliances included. Don’t miss out—call now to schedule a viewing!<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55909 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970750 | 65 | 1517718722310924 | 1.088824502534E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6871006677 | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | 6500397100889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10 - 12 | Utah State Fairpark | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702073723 | 6871006677 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409210886_1463644451035468_4484415749608670184_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-WqeYq5lU9YAX_l2bdW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBvnzq26fs1959voHWeCPuUaq4sSW12x0gdEKgL3nguFA&oe=65886340 | person_profile | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408024003_295449546822130_7531581322564336856_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h357XP-BveEAX-OhlOn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAha-ENfTtTHnA93pDGCIOXDvWy9TBS40bFoMf_8bEvbw&oe=6587D78A | 0 | 3 | Death Cab for Cutie | 2095872 | https://facebook.com/deathcabforcutie | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56357 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 8:44 AM | 1703105779 | 1747575869 | 65 | 862549738688256 | 1 | 1.0253276553565E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 871611042878073 | 0 | Author Maggie Dallen | 6504533965556 | maggiedallenbooks.com | Shop now | NONE | video | 5 Books for 30% Off! | "Loved this book! The characters come to life!" - Joanna | https://maggiedallenbooks.com/products/the-bluestocking-battalion-series-bundle | 1701720735 | 8.7161104287807E+14 | Author Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407753882_1090804975604234_3419958317661780974_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7phRgiiznpUAX9X3U5A&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCs3AVhH6Fjri6yT2ZEn3GVwNz8wanEAmKKt_otbD_fNg&oe=6587BD56 | person_profile | 0 | Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407478277_858830289285553_8310027384582676445_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=blHOe1puQbEAX9ALSSM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCcy62mHsVscVMcQjO65zeiRL_BhiJqgwpNXcmqfYbzwQ&oe=6587B2A7 | 0 | 3 | Last week, I was a proper young lady, dreaming of adventure as I explored the caves near town. But then I stumble upon a pirate—and he mistakes me for a spy.<br /> <br /> He takes me captive, and questions me... It's almost disappointing when he realizes I'm no threat, just a dutiful daughter with my whole life planned out.<br /> <br /> He lets me go. And I assume he’ll forget all about me as I return to my predictable routine.<br /> <br /> But days later, I see him again. At a ball, and dressed like a gentleman. <br /> <br /> He ignores my fiancé as he asks me to dance. And when he pulls me into his arms, he says, "Little dove, did you really think I’d let you go so easily?"<br /> <br /> BOOK: Miss Minerva's Pirate Mishap<br /> <br /> What readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /> "I loved every book in this series! It was so fun to read about each sister finding adventure and love. If you love sweet regency romances...I highly recommend these books!" <br /> <br /> Get the 5 E-Books in this bundle series and save 30% today! The PERFECT way to support the author directly.<br /> <br /> After your purchase. Receive an email with the link to the ebook. <br /> <br /> Download the books with one click and send them to your kindle, tablet, or phone. And READ!<br /> <br /> Thank you for supporting me directly! 🥰 | Author Maggie Dallen | 2617 | https://facebook.com/MaggieDallenAuthor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55617 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/28/25, 1:26 AM | 1703105771 | 1740727581 | 65 | 347918311178417 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105570775961220 | 0 | Cozy home | 120203117126200782 | homeknowledge.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.homeknowledge.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567191 | 1.0557077596122E+14 | Cozy home | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409744392_736145238571574_420537052615061852_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xhul284gX-QAX_Y8TqW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDE3W8-Uc2p9SvL2yx_YKgFkpkWLgUBP6oD8RTfAAJSEQ&oe=6588FBAB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Cozy home | 1046 | https://facebook.com/100095409212705 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56851 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 4:14 AM | 1703105785 | 1747127653 | 65 | 1019074742720177 | 1 | 3.3745781561796E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201208049250403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724740 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404609901_672587698330497_8270604452135556311_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CTZDwCsALIMAX84GRJM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCORjVpVodKDq7ST8E6MBvbaZTs-NTubZkTQWvawL0Bpw&oe=65893D86 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404656244_6891126000982479_3382051504015381425_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pL6u_yHH34oAX-rKU8v&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClXhh-f7-Gx7Wko7PnVRmJP58WGsfC8CUPeT7D1F6p1w&oe=658877C2 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55940 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 1:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1747594700 | 65 | 666016595693674 | 8 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207708641570456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702391392 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408921162_926036425753268_5210806435027610820_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NsyQAOgPciMAX8h6CJV&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBgMaXvI2UgwQ0rPb35-G3Tq41LGCUq-WklvIGIld4PwQ&oe=65876269 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409958957_1047634386581496_7231431996954092684_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xNabKdu_PfMAX-K6-_8&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBOJoAn6PJl_DYqDqkiS5_NeCD4MjnD7ViE9dS3GpjzaA&oe=6588C7CC | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55579 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/26/24, 9:05 AM | 1703105771 | 1724681133 | 65 | 2752862521519424 | 2 | 3.7127746535691E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748050506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636932 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411153287_256258724136891_5992707753714022352_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5cHlAHc_TTIAX_cV7Gn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB80IdunXufb6nvMsLdN5gj6-dl285yMoUoHf5CvEdH6Q&oe=6588B7EF | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411083304_3400968973457129_960668600922694388_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mJuy9i0ExY0AX9cRAWE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDsaCOH6ssF07cbiqT8pHhBH1ky25gbPuSen25-UB9WwQ&oe=65883D81 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56435 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 10:20 AM | 1703105780 | 1747581653 | 65 | 385066083949996 | 1 | 3.6508893618018E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200730042300540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701409278 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404831155_752273640063506_6527178701470263930_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hbVyHEITWykAX8MA7CE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCbFVMhaPaisn73h80huz6nlQzbr6AZRfbKhE8JAQp1cg&oe=65882D67 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404825980_1518237808933978_8795126837688525815_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KpyU1pK7BngAX-CnU5R&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDddPA2JSQXgWFg9v7-SD7ID6FTDJzoE3EdYe4sDQ4IsQ&oe=6588D3C5 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56446 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 11:14 AM | 1703105780 | 1724084065 | 65 | 720435052975826 | 1 | 8.4421327740298E+14 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103114198920092 | 0 | luva_architecture | 120201165446780606 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/luva_architecture | 1701383730 | 1.0311419892009E+14 | luva_architecture | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407206320_888607296262874_6564846381230065040_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XArJ1HOr8RsAX8cc3vP&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPJ0XuMHIy_YKexNtKybrWro4NG15pdexqe-qKj_dylg&oe=658837A9 | person_profile | 0 | LUVA art&trendsetter | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407191663_2044077219284389_8345245558973630865_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HeVIRnBklA0AX_3ZVrC&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAHmho9f6gsHtZ20a7_8oAn4yOmRAy0zgJWtgwgakP2Ww&oe=6587BAEF | 0 | 3 | Lobby biurowca <br /> <br /> ##interior #luvadesign #projekty #lodz #artwork #home #style #design #furniture #lifestyle #lobbybiurowca #nowyprojekt #nowarealizacja #gatsbystyle <br /> <br /> Fot. @joanna_majewska_photo | luva_architecture | 49 | https://facebook.com/100076911726714 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55850 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 11:17 AM | 1703105774 | 1747585063 | 65 | 1426025691280780 | 1 | 1.0386853141024E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411372210044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702457963 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409717619_375744795017615_7260846942541851416_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GGo3JEOWU6IAX-yAzPD&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOhCCmExEHHoGq495MiM6X356xZsWzeAeBfV7XONy-8A&oe=6587AD04 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409769697_371724622007818_2201433780038384186_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pe9CuzYUf3wAX-jp3VU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCafbOpjwDMx6WSUV67tFYWRApN01pVvjnrBHIIoPXGjA&oe=65893BF9 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56522 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 8:19 PM | 1703105781 | 1743211174 | 65 | 1025657688704549 | 1 | 1.5850766755657E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100802715811938 | 0 | Best APP to release stress | 120201140437530070 | dynamic.bestnovelapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Leia online！！ | https://dynamic.bestnovelapp.com/noah-ssg/wn/202309192/27884910600562805+1+3+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1701246869 | 1.0080271581194E+14 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404776147_877585043901172_1316116495654571637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nkd9yVWFxfoAX813QON&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAw0vX9FUiJWBA63X7Qd92uETeyO3xJvzMB8I0Ml8kH_A&oe=6587D1A1 | person_profile | 0 | Best APP to release stress | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404750107_313323351529139_965139659840395923_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C8FdHW33uxYAX-CXuwq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2rowdYhRUGyDfsPlIDx0dANXzgERSC-D8bwbw1Z4xFg&oe=658877A8 | 0 | 3 | "Marido, eu não quero mais, me sinto péssima..." "Amor, seja boazinha, termine de tomar esse remédio."<br /> O homem bonito abraça a mulher em seus braços, acariciando-a delicadamente enquanto a alimenta com o remédio.<br /> Joanna Lawrence se depara com Ashton Heath, o herdeiro mais estimado de toda a cidade de Closia, e acaba passando a noite com ele. Depois que ele oferece benefícios em troca de seu casamento, a recém nomeada Sra. Heath de repente tem o poder de ter tudo o que sempre desejou.<br /> "Marido, eu dei um tapa na Rainha do Cinema Faye hoje, eu exagerei?"<br /> "Amor, sua mão está doendo? Deixe-me massageá-la para você."<br /> "Marido, eu estourei o limite do seu cartão de crédito, você está bravo?"<br /> "Amor, você está feliz com suas compras? Avise-me quando precisar de mais."<br /> "Marido, estou cansada hoje, não quero me mexer..."<br /> <br /> Clique para ler mais <Meu Marido Bilionário Secreto> | Best APP to release stress | 4784 | https://facebook.com/100079851744054 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55904 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/1/25, 7:16 PM | 1703105774 | 1738458968 | 65 | 275835085464964 | 2 | 1.8602014792734E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 338490086641261 | 0 | Dayglow | 6501556882689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702427942 | 3.3849008664126E+14 | Dayglow | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410397576_6870036443109841_6056186335234919094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v3WN3P4eqUIAX_SpX4b&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMgAreLXWykN-qCgAvlAhdQxgrTOhnN4KcrjH6_b_lag&oe=65892809 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Dayglow | 36804 | https://facebook.com/dayglowband | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56180 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 12:34 PM | 1703105777 | 1745688861 | 65 | 756569989668885 | 1 | 2.6371816335882E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672518780427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030362 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408987115_1024417142161317_7496494398094111848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BfX540_CsKgAX_ZEkyg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-C49BSsNK8o7dRsOJSub9XOEqoU3Ij1SVOvlOQiIs4g&oe=6588307D | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408986817_376754391469408_9173801267270112432_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8x05IS7wBkEAX-GIqMe&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDfV-4tfDcW-eryMBzW5Z1_FHsosAUouYU5X493zWaUKA&oe=6587E3B0 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56047 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105776 | 1747588202 | 65 | 1017712759308299 | 1 | 8.7341269447679E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498181110278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287792 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409533939_711165974439625_6347242218013050349_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Eg--gK02_4oAX-MwLp4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCdVhEu4MrJTIkiQZt5VZaB6bv6Nb66dbusOFSGO2hKzQ&oe=6587C7BF | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409646761_1746319202506986_7893180921152640607_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZTPfp0OQ1eoAX8DcxT8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC4vKtclfE6mQxDAzIMeYiVYhWzMxHv9Bou_mQi0hWKKQ&oe=6588BE2C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56084 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105776 | 1747588214 | 65 | 1370355626898345 | 2 | 3.6443256627351E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204870556670427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702210409 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409223082_1080368146748702_6139804444637454194_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KLnOQ1blMisAX-FazLj&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPEED7edIVUyzIZt1aZVSevnQFdLU6NIWtuhsqlWuuow&oe=6588693E | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923246_1388860918505851_8848541147294556852_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CcHKsXVDAskAX_anCTl&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAbawspndA1CKL8_PoWN37V69e1tR2Vd_g890bnJsS3hA&oe=65892688 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56100 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105776 | 1747588226 | 65 | 888421085988754 | 1 | 3.7021176224646E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259783230476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180898 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409745296_1523588151829960_3904783223987298745_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gZ0EJC4qTWoAX9jVkGb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCdNhgbYXnIR2SV9p-ltDeVYtSsDbd3okwHfJObazjDog&oe=6588B551 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409796414_726166339569245_608810813658723443_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyH2WUQ6V0cAX8IUe5f&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9RakXvz_D4dOjiYcSq2YaKnCF5uUrcAd6ga-4O-A37A&oe=65885E86 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56158 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105777 | 1747588231 | 65 | 804527974693197 | 1 | 3.2753355007093E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 180251658500845 | 0 | Bad Novel | 120201576031150539 | cdn.joylitnovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to read the full text | https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/2c317ec0-76d0-4274-8237-3555126e8dfa.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}} | 1702048118 | 1.8025165850084E+14 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408043961_886658869734923_6792583346712475770_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3b9Tj72IkzIAX9Vg-s1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpDQhIA6apsv-pQ9ZbtAD1dpt7qsMJXEVIe0gRuIr2aw&oe=658868F9 | person_profile | 0 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409558691_828126075729691_6678526538866381994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tWTdIJFW3z4AX-_kxCi&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAbVl1S0_djf2bROk0C1Ilnl_PmReBnLym2pSEsma9WEw&oe=65885684 | 0 | 3 | As the sun dipped below the horizon on a July evening, the sky retained its luminous glow, refusing to succumb to darkness.<br /> By the base of Mount Elvern, before an unnamed tombstone.<br /> Clad in black casual attire, Yvonne Anworth stood before the tombstone. Her delicate features were etched with a chill that resembled the precision of a carefully sculpted statue. "Mom, ten years have passed since that day. I've stuck to your advice and kept myself in check all these years. Tomorrow, I'm going back to the Anworths."<br /> Enveloped in silence, she could only hear the wind whispering through the trees.<br /> "Boom!"<br /> A sudden, jarring sound drew Yvonne's attention, prompting her to subtly turn her head. Her mesmerizing eyes narrowed as she gazed towards the source of the noise, not too far from her.<br /> A black car with a deflated tire sat lopsided on the roadside.<br /> A man dressed in black sportswear emerged from the car. His gait was unsteady, suggesting an injury.<br /> A group of about a dozen people dressed in black attire trailed behind him.<br /> Brandon Hart glanced over his shoulder, his face stern and cold. He clutched his aching stomach, and his lips drained of color. He exuded an aura of pain and suffering.<br /> "Don't even think about running! We paid a fortune for you, and you're not going anywhere." The menacing figure in black said as he closed in on the shivering figure before him. The leader's face was devoid of emotion, his eyes cold and calculating, radiating an aura of pure malice.<br /> "Just you guys?" Brandon's eyes narrowed, his voice like a frosty dagger.<br /> The pain from his stomach shot up to his head. He could feel the blood seeping out, making him doubt if he could hold on much longer.<br /> "Alright, let's get this over with," the leader of the black-clad people said and attacked Brandon.<br /> "Huh?"<br /> Suddenly, a stone came whizzing out of nowhere and struck the black-clad person in the arm. His hand trembled, and he crumpled to the ground.<br /> The black-clad person's expression morphed into a mask of fury, a low rumble emanating from their chest. "Who's there?"<br /> Yvonne spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, "You've interrupted my mom's peace. Take your fight elsewhere!"<br /> A crowd of people gazed intently at Yvonne, their faces grave.<br /> Even Brandon, known for his menacing glare, couldn't mask his astonishment.<br /> Despite their formidable reputations as international assassins, capable of vanquishing multiple foes, the group succumbed to the might of a mere stone hurled by a teenage girl.<br /> That girl was off the charts!<br /> "Back off, or you're toast!" The leader's eyes turned icy as he ordered, "Kill her!"<br /> The rest of the crowd surged forward in an instant.<br /> Yvonne's gaze grew icy, her eyes like shards of ice.<br /> "Watch out!" Brandon had already sprung into action before the black-clad people rushed towards Yvonne.<br /> But Brandon's feet halted abruptly, his dark eyes widening in disbelief.<br /> The assassins were no match for Yvonne. They all fell before her without even having a chance to attack.<br /> And she didn't budge an inch. Her face was undisturbed, and her eyes steady.<br /> If it weren't for her hands that had not yet been withdrawn, Brandon would have thought he was hallucinating.<br /> "Get lost!" Yvonne tilted her chin up slightly, her voice icy.<br /> The men in black stared at her like she was some kind of ghost, their faces etched with confusion and a hint of fear. "Who the hell are you? And what's your deal?"<br /> The cause of their fall remained a mystery to them.<br /> All they recalled was the girl raising her hand and releasing a powdery substance, followed by their sudden descent.<br /> And they didn't even touch a single strand of the girl's hair.<br /> As Yvonne remained silent, the black-clad men collapsed to the ground, unconscious.<br /> Yvonne cast a fleeting glance at their fallen forms before raising her gaze to Brandon, who stood nearby.<br /> Brandon's heart skipped a beat as her clear, moonlit eyes met his.<br /> Regaining his composure, he approached her and spoke softly, "Thank you."<br /> Yvonne gave him a cold stare and curtly declared, "I'm not saving you!"<br /> Her only desire was to avoid being bothered and to have a conversation with her mother.<br /> As Yvonne uttered those words, she turned around and strode away. Her hand reached out to gently caress the tombstone surface. "I gotta go, Mom. May you rest in peace."<br /> As she was about to walk away, Brandon stopped her and asked, "Hey, what's your name? I'd like to return the favor someday."<br /> "I never intended to save you," Yvonne waved her hand and kept walking.<br /> "Wait ... ouch!" Brandon didn't even get to finish his sentence and collapsed on the ground.<br /> Yvonne turned back. Her brow furrowed in confusion before resuming her walk.<br /> Out of nowhere, a gust of wind swirled around her, making Yvonne halt in her steps. She glanced up at the unmarked gravestone and asked, "Do you want me to save him?" But the only answer was the wind's whisper. For a moment, Yvonne stayed silent, her voice laced with a hint of helplessness, "Alright, I'll save him."<br /> Yvonne crouched beside Brandon and gently raised his shirt. She immediately noticed that he had a severe wound on his stomach.<br /> But it wasn't a big problem.<br /> She retrieved a small bottle from her bag and sprinkled some medicinal powder on it. Then, she took out another bottle and fed a pill to Brandon.<br /> Brandon would be astonished to see the rare and valuable healing pill lying before him. It is a highly sought-after item in the black market, with each pill fetching an astounding price of 750,000 dollars. However, due to its scarcity, it is almost impossible to find on the market.<br /> After Brandon took the pill, Yvonne immediately turned and left.<br /> Queenstown, the Anworths mansion.<br /> "She's banned from this house as long as I'm alive!" a booming voice echoed through the mansion.<br /> In the middle of the living room, Yvonne raised her eyes slightly and gazed serenely at the enraged Madam Anworth. Her peach blossom eyes, usually bright and expressive, were now modestly lowered, concealing a depth of composure.<br /> Unnoticed by anyone, a sly grin appeared on her lips.<br /> Having just returned home with her father, Thomas Anworth, Yvonne was immediately summoned to the old mansion by Madam Anworth, who had already heard the news of their arrival.<br /> Madam Anworth's immediate disapproval of Yvonne's return was evident as soon as she stepped into the room.<br /> "Ugh, Mom! Yvonne is my daughter. She's your grandchild."<br /> Thomas stood with his hands clenched at his sides. His jaw was set, and his shoulders tense.<br /> After a decade of searching, he was overjoyed to finally reunite with his daughter. But he was caught off guard when his mother refused to allow Yvonne to return home. In front of the entire family, she even disrespected Yvonne.<br /> "She doesn't deserve a shred of recognition from me! I'll never give her the time of day!" Madam Anworth's hand struck the table with a resounding thud, her glare as sharp as a blade aimed at Yvonne's heart.<br /> Yvonne lifted her head, briefly encountering Madam Anworth's gaze before looking away once more. She remained unfazed by Madam Anworth's scrutiny.<br /> Thomas suddenly raised his head and declared with determination, "Now that I've found Yvonne, I'll never let her go again. Our family is broken beyond repair, so stay out of my personal life!"<br /> "How dare you!" Madam Anworth shot up from her chair, her eyes blazing. "If you even think about bringing her back, I'll kick you out of your current position and take back every share you own!"<br /> Thomas sneered and said, "Position? Shares? Mom, I'm just a lowly manager in the company now, making a basic salary of 600 dollars a month. I'm not the one who wants to quit, it's you! And as for the shares, didn't you already take them all back?'"<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth gritted her teeth as she said, "Are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"<br /> She was stunned to see her typically weak and incompetent son defy her wishes time and again for the sake of Yvonne.<br /> She was certain that Yvonne and her late mother were up to no good, trying to stir up trouble between her and her son.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to say something, Hannah Anworth, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up, "Grandma, do you agree to let Yvonne come back?"<br /> "Hmm!" Grandma's expression softened a bit when she saw Hannah. But she still coldly snorted, "Let Yvonne come back? Forget about it!'"<br /> "But Yvonne is Mr. Hart's fiancée," Hannah blinked her eyes, her lips curled up into a mischievous grin.<br /> Chapter 2 Ending the Engagement<br /> 、The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence.<br /> "What are you talking about? Brandon's fiancée isn't ...," Grandma paused and abruptly stood up. "Oh, wait, I remember now! Yvonne is the one engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, you don't have to marry Brandon anymore."<br /> It was widely acknowledged that Brandon Hart, the seventh son of the Harts, was an indolent person who lacked seriousness and frittered away his time.<br /> Master Hart has a deep affection for Brandon, particularly since Brandon heroically saved him two years ago, resulting in Brandon's disability. Since that incident, Master Hart has showered Brandon with even more love and attention.<br /> And Brandon's lavish spending habits have escalated, as he recklessly disposes of the money generously given to him by his parents and Master Hart.<br /> But for some unexplained reason, a representative from the Anworths recently approached the Harts and informed them that their young lady was engaged to Brandon and that they expected the Harts to honor the engagement.<br /> Isn't Hannah the young lady of the Anworths?<br /> Madam Anworth's anxiety stemmed from her concerns about Hannah's future. Despite the Anworths' lower social standing compared to the Harts, Madam Anworth had nurtured Hannah since she was a child. She believed that Hannah deserved to marry someone more prominent who could elevate the Anworths' position.<br /> Despite Brandon's lavish lifestyle courtesy of his grandfather, he lacked true influence. The wealth he possessed originated from his parents and Master Hart's generosity.<br /> Remember, money could run out. Once he spent it all and there was nothing left, he would be left with nothing but to rely on the generosity of others for basic necessities.<br /> Despite Madam Anworth's objections, the Harts had been committed to their engagement and couldn't simply call it off. So, Madam Anworth sought strategies to terminate the impending union gracefully.<br /> With Yvonne's return, the engagement could proceed as planned. Yvonne's background as a simple country girl made her an appropriate match for Brandon, who had physical limitations. Besides, the Anworths could benefit from a union with the Hart family, achieving two advantages simultaneously.<br /> With this in mind, Madam Anworth wasted no time and said, "Fine, let Yvonne come back. But she's got a month to learn some manners before she gets engaged to Brandon. We don't want any embarrassing moments at the ceremony."<br /> Thomas and Joanna Lloyd were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief as they gazed at the old lady.<br /> They were still struggling to process Hannah's earlier statement.<br /> Soon, Thomas raised his head abruptly, "What engagement ceremony? The one engaged to Brandon isn't ..."<br /> "Yvonne is the young lady of the Anworths. It's her who is engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, it's only natural to fulfill the engagement."<br /> Joanna's expression darkened upon hearing the news. She turned to Yvonne with a sympathetic gaze.<br /> Her mother-in-law was clearly up to something.<br /> Her willingness to let Yvonne back into their lives hints at her covert motivations.<br /> Everyone knew that Brandon had a disability.<br /> She once opposed Hannah marrying Brandon, but now she supported Yvonne marrying him.<br /> "I disagree!" Thomas's voice boomed with fury, his features contorted in a rage. "It's obvious that Hannah is the one who got engaged to Brandon."<br /> "Dad, I'm not saying I don't want to marry Brandon, but Yvonne is the eldest daughter from the Anworths. If I get married to Brandon and the Harts find out about it, they'll be furious with us for keeping it a secret." Hannah's tone was vague, and she looked down slightly, a sly look crossing her face.<br /> "Right!" Madam Anworth immediately nodded, "The Harts are a powerful family, and we don't want to mess with them."<br /> "You all!" Thomas's face went all red. He was furious.<br /> But Madam Anworth ignored him and turned to Yvonne. "If you wish to return to the Anworths, you must get engaged to Brandon."<br /> Yvonne raised her eyes to meet Madam Anworth's gaze. Her bright and captivating eyes sparkled faintly.<br /> After a moment, with a dainty smile, she took a breath and coolly replied, "Alright. I'm in for the engagement!"<br /> She must come back to the Anworths!<br /> Her lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile as she contemplated her engagement. Her return to the Anworths coincided with an opportune moment to gracefully dissolve her engagement to Brandon.<br /> After leaving the old mansion of the Anworths, Yvonne followed Thomas and Joanna back to their own home.<br /> Eight years ago, Thomas's grandmother forced him to leave the old mansion, and his family has since relocated to Newton Residential Area, a secluded neighborhood far from the city's bustle.<br /> The neighborhood had been quite antiquated, and the walls of the buildings were deteriorating, possibly due to the passage of time.<br /> Thomas's family resided in an apartment with three bedrooms.<br /> Upon greeting Thomas, Yvonne headed towards the bedroom.<br /> She just returned home, and her belongings haven't been unpacked yet.<br /> The moment she stepped into the bedroom, an insistent knock echoed through the room.<br /> She got up and headed towards the door. As she swung it open, she found Thomas and Joanna standing awkwardly, unsure of what to say.<br /> "Do you need something, Mr. Anworth?" Yvonne stepped aside to let Thomas come in.<br /> "Yeah, I do, actually." Thomas pursed his lips, unsure how to start.<br /> "What's the matter? Just tell me." Yvonne gestured for Thomas to sit down while she herself stood.<br /> "I want to cancel the wedding on your behalf."<br /> Yvonne's eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide with surprise.<br /> Joanna approached her, gently grasped her hand, and took a seat on the bed. Then, she said softly, "Listen. Your father believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and Brandon has a disability. If you marry him, you'll be responsible for his care for the rest of your life. He wants you to find someone with a good heart, someone who will truly love and protect you forever."<br /> Joanna paused for a moment and continued, "But this marriage was arranged by your mother after all. So, we still need to hear your thoughts on it."<br /> Although she had never been in contact with Yvonne, she felt sorry for her.<br /> Brandon was not the right match for her.<br /> So what if the Harts were wealthy and powerful?<br /> If Yvonne makes that decision, the consequences will be devastating and irreversible. It would be a mistake with a lasting negative impact on her life.<br /> Yvonne looked at Joanna, a hint of a smile appearing on her cold cheeks. "Well, I was planning on cancelling him."<br /> Joanna was Thomas's second wife and also her stepmother.<br /> After the brief interaction she had with her, Yvonne didn't feel repulsed.<br /> She could also tell that Thomas and Joanna were genuinely considering her.<br /> "That's good!" Thomas stood up excitedly. "I'm calling the Harts right now to cancel that wedding!"<br /> Mount Elvern.<br /> In the depths of the mountain forest, three figures stood solemnly before a nameless grave.<br /> The man on the left, dressed in trendy clothes and sporting an earring, turned to the slender man beside him. "Mr. Hart, it's been two days, and that girl still hasn't come. I don't think she'll come. Let's go."<br /> "Just wait a little longer." The man in the middle narrowed his eyes and looked at the nameless grave before him. A layer of light shimmered under his dark eyes.<br /> He was dressed in casual black clothes, and his messy hair covered half of his eyelids. His exquisite, handsome face carried a hint of coldness and arrogance. He was the seventh son of the Harts, the useless son who was saved by Yvonne.<br /> Brandon Hart!<br /> The person who spoke first was Yorky Smith, the third son of the Smiths in Norbury.<br /> "Don't wait any longer. If you keep waiting, you'll miss the engagement with Miss Anworth from the Anworths." Yorky touched his earlobe and chuckled, "Miss Anworth is a talented woman from Queenstown. Besides, you've been engaged to her since childhood. Your grandfather has repeatedly emphasized that the engagement ceremony must not go wrong."<br /> A faint curve appeared at the ice-cold corner of Brandon's lips. "Has the engagement with the Anworths been canceled?"<br /> "Even if you were cripple and the biggest loser on Earth, would the Anworths dare to break off their engagement with the Harts, the most powerful family in Norbury? And let's be honest, you're not exactly a loser anyway!"<br /> It was hard to imagine the Anworths calling off the marriage if they knew Brandon was neither disabled nor useless!<br /> "Oh." Brandon's eyes dimmed.<br /> They did not cancel the engagement!<br /> It was not fun anymore!<br /> Sensing futility in his words, Yorky sealed his lips on the matter.<br /> He decided not to mention this topic anymore. "Since finding your savior seems impossible, let's move on. We can still save Helena once we find my senior."<br /> Brandon cast him a sidelong glance, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. "Your senior? Are you sure she exists?"<br /> Yorky was left speechless and couldn't come up with a response.<br /> After a while, he exclaimed in frustration, "Of course she exists! My senior is totally drop-dead gorgeous and has a heart of gold. And don't even get me started on her skills as a doctor. She's like a walking miracle! She can practically raise the dead and mend broken bones ..."<br /> Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the person standing on Brandon's right side. "Mr. Smith, you don't even know her name, what she looks like. And yet, you're making her out to be some kind of mythical creature. Is this 'senior' of yours even real? Instead of wasting time looking for her, it would be better to wait for the Black Alliance to contact the mysterious divine doctor."<br /> Raise the dead and mend broken bones?<br /> Even the esteemed professors at the Medical Research Institute wouldn't even dare claim such skills.<br /> Yorky exclaimed excitedly, "You're talking nonsense! You think I'm making things up, huh? My senior is real! But that mysterious divine doctor is like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will. Only treat patients on a whim. We've searched for ages with no success. Who even knows if that doctor accepts patients anymore?"<br /> "I suspect he's completely incompetent! His medical skills are not even as good as my senior!"<br /> This person was ignorant!<br /> How could an ordinary person like him understand his senior?<br /> Although his senior never mentioned his name and knowing she had changed after a decade, he was certain he would recognize his senior the moment he laid eyes on her.<br /> "Fine, fine, I'll take your word for it." Franco Kelmer had it up to here arguing with Yorky. Mainly because he was kinda creepily obsessed with his senior.<br /> Brandon gave them both a quick look, then looked away and bowed to the nameless tombstone as he said, "Alright, let's go!"<br /> "Mr. Hart, where are we going?" Franco asked.<br /> Brandon's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Queenstown. I'll convince my fiancée to break off our engagement!"<br /> Chapter 3 Are You Trying to Lecture Me?<br /> On the other side.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to contact the Harts and call off the engagement, an unexpected visitor interrupted him with a ring of the doorbell.<br /> Thomas and Joanna rose to see who was at the door.<br /> Yvonne rose and joined the others outside. Guests had arrived, and her duty was to extend a warm welcome, as courtesy demanded.<br /> Upon reaching the door, she discovered it was Hannah standing before it.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were both taken aback, and even Yvonne couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.<br /> Hannah was already there, knocking on the door just moments after she had left the old mansion.<br /> "Hi, Mom and Dad! I came to visit and also wanted to see Yvonne. I even brought her some clothes," Hannah said, a sweet smile revealed as she stood in her light-colored dress with her hair tied back on both sides.<br /> She radiated an air of quiet grace and elegance.<br /> Joanna glanced at the bag in Hannah's hand, and her expression changed.<br /> Madam Anworth bought these clothes for Hannah, but many of them were only worn once and then forgotten.<br /> This Hannah ....<br /> "That's thoughtful of you," Joanna remarked, taking the bag from Hannah's hand and placing it on the cupboard.<br /> "Why are you here all of a sudden?" Thomas asked, his face darkening with suspicion as he noticed the bag in Hannah's hand.<br /> Hannah's eyes welled up. She looked at Thomas with a mixture of hurt and understanding as she said, "Dad, I know you just reunited with Yvonne and want to focus on her. You probably don't want to see me right now, but ... Grandma insisted I come and teach her some of the rules of our family."<br /> Thomas's eyebrows furrowed tightly, his gaze at Hannah carried some impatience.<br /> Here we go again!<br /> For years, whenever she visited them, tears would stream down her face as though she had endured some terrible injustice.<br /> Could it have been that after receiving the favor of Madam Anworth, she looked down on her foster parents?<br /> Who would have wanted to see it like that then?<br /> Thomas's anger flared inexplicably. "What kind of rules are you teaching?" he thundered. "Yvonne knows perfectly well how to behave. She doesn't need your instruction! She's not marrying the emperor and becoming a concubine, so why all the fuss over rules?"<br /> "Hahaha!" Yvonne found Thomas's words unexpectedly funny and couldn't help but burst into laughter.<br /> It was clear Mr. Anworth had a humorous side.<br /> Hannah blushed beet red, looking down and nervously biting her lip. "Dad," she mumbled, "That's not what I meant at all. I just ..."<br /> "Fine. Go tell your grandmother that I'll cancel the engagement with the Harts. Since she looks down on Yvonne, she shouldn't care about her manners." Thomas cut her off, his voice laced with irritation.<br /> "What did you just say? You want to cancel the engagement!" Hannah couldn't pretend anymore. She gripped her skirt tightly, and the hatred in her eyes was about to erupt.<br /> What a hypocrite!<br /> Ridiculous!<br /> The treatment was indeed different for his own children.<br /> Initially, the Harts thought she was the one who was engaged to Brandon. And when they forced her to marry him, she secretly expressed her reluctance to marry Brandon. But what did Thomas say about it?<br /> He said he wouldn't be in charge of this household, and whether to do the engagement or not would be decided by Madam Anworth.<br /> But what about now?<br /> Just after Yvonne returned, Thomas was impatient to end this engagement. Why wasn't he saying that he's not in charge of this household anymore?<br /> "Exactly! Yvonne is just nineteen, and I just managed to bring her back. It's impossible for her to get married," Thomas said with a serious expression, "Go and tell your grandmother to stop thinking about Yvonne."<br /> He was well aware of what was going on in his mother's mind.<br /> While he used to be agreeable on all matters, there's no room for discussion when it came to Yvonne.<br /> He would confront anyone who dared to have bad intentions towards Yvonne without hesitation.<br /> "But ..." Hannah nervously bit her lip, expressing some reluctance, "Yvonne has agreed to marry Mr. Hart. If she backs out, the Harts will hold us responsible. Offending the Harts would mean trouble for us."<br /> Hannah looked at Yvonne and said softly, "Yvonne, you don't want the Anworths to face problems, right? This is what Grandpa worked tirelessly for all his life. If something goes wrong because of you ..."<br /> She intentionally stopped speaking midway through her sentence.<br /> In response, Yvonne's captivating eyes lifted slightly, and her red lips formed a subtle smile. "Indeed, I have no desire to get married. Why don't you consider marrying him?"<br /> Hannah's body tensed for a moment, and her face briefly struggled to maintain composure.<br /> Who would willingly marry the disabled Brandon?<br /> She was a talented woman in Queenstown, achieving considerable success in various fields. Now, she was the top student in Fort Hill of Queenstown. With a promising future ahead, it was disheartening to think it could be jeopardized by association with that disabled person.<br /> What did Yvonne imply?<br /> Was she intentionally trying to upset her?<br /> "Yvonne, your joke is far from amusing," remarked Hannah with a forced smile, appearing quite unappealing.<br /> Yvonne blinked and looked at her with a tilted head. "I'm not joking!"<br /> Hannah was furious.<br /> She almost couldn't resist slapping Yvonne!<br /> Exploited every opening to benefit yourself, even when offered the benefit freely?<br /> Hannah's tone abruptly escalated as she emphasized, "You're the eldest daughter of the Anworths!" The malice in her eyes grew even more profound.<br /> "Oh, really?" Yvonne responded with a calm expression. "So you, a spoiled child, are trying to lecture me on handling things?"<br /> "You!" Hannah's hands clenched tightly at her sides. Shortly after, she took a deep breath and chuckled lightly, saying, "Yvonne, you've misunderstood. How could I dare to lecture you? It's Grandma who mentioned that the engagement with the Harts is a significant matter. Besides, after the engagement, the Harts will invest a substantial amount in our company. So, we absolutely cannot break off the engagement."<br /> Without waiting for Yvonne to respond, Hannah stood up and said, "Dad, I'll be heading to the company soon, so I won't stay long. When Grandma came, she wanted me to tell you that she disagreed with Yvonne canceling the engagement with Mr. Hart. If you insist on doing so, she'll take back this house."<br /> Madam Anworth certainly never said such things. Hannah took it upon herself to say these things.<br /> But she had the ability to influence Madam Anworth's attitude before Thomas approached her.<br /> Thomas's facial expression changed, and as he was about to respond, Hannah had already left.<br /> Chapter 4 Looked It Up<br /> Following Hannah's departure, Thomas expressed his frustration by forcefully placing the cup on the table, exclaiming, "This is absolutely outrageous!"<br /> Joanna poured him a glass of water and consoled him, saying, "Come on, don't be upset. This child's heart has long been elsewhere. Getting angry won't change anything."<br /> Hannah was a child they had adopted eight years ago.<br /> During that time, Thomas's sole focus was on searching for Yvonne. After an extensive but unsuccessful search, he coincidentally came across Hannah.<br /> Her facial features share a certain similarity with Yvonne. Feeling a longing for Yvonne and pity for Hannah, Thomas decided to adopt her.<br /> Hannah was obedient and sensible. She had a sweet mouth, and knew how to make people happy.<br /> She had Madam Anworth wrapped around her finger.<br /> After two years of adoption, Madam Anworth took personal responsibility for raising Hannah. In a short span, she transformed into a highly admired and accomplished woman in Queenstown, causing many people to envy her.<br /> But ever since Hannah started following Madam Anworth, she looked down on them. Although it didn't show on the surface, the words she uttered always hit people in the heart.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were not naive. Over time, they grasped Hannah's intentions. Consequently, their interactions with Hannah naturally dwindled.<br /> "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have adopted her!" Thomas lamented, beating his chest and regretting his decision.<br /> "You had good intentions back then," Joanna glanced at Yvonne and said, "Now the problem is how to cancel the engagement! According to Mom's stance, she's set on marrying Yvonne off, and if we don't agree, she might not accept it gracefully."<br /> "I've made up my mind to end this engagement. Even if Mom takes back the house, I refuse to believe that, as an adult, I can't provide for a wife and child."<br /> Joanna sighed.<br /> It seemed likely that in this Queenstown, Madam Anworth wouldn't offer them a place to stay.<br /> With her head bowed, Yvonne focused on the information displayed on her mobile phone.<br /> The page showcased details about Brandon.<br /> As a prominent figure in the Harts, Brandon's profile was indeed quite impressive.<br /> It had everything except for photos.<br /> Even the phone number was included on his profile.<br /> "Mr. Anworth, there's no need to feel troubled. I can initiate the divorce myself," Yvonne said, raising her head with a graceful smile on her soft face. "Don't worry about having a place to stay. I'll buy a house for you."<br /> Considering Mr. Anworth and his wife's good treatment towards her, acquiring this house could be seen as an act of filial piety.<br /> "Yvonne ..."<br /> Thomas wanted to say something, but Yvonne stood up and dialed a number on her phone.<br /> "Hello? Is it Mr. Hart, right? I'm Miss Anworth." Yvonne got straight to the point once the call was answered.<br /> Brandon's fingers paused on the other side of the phone, and his eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked, "What's the matter?"<br /> "I want to cancel the engagement." Yvonne's voice was clear and sharp.<br /> Brandon was taken aback for a moment. After a slight pause, his thin lips curved up as he responded. "Okay!"<br /> Yvonne stared at her phone, which had already been hung up, and was stunned for a moment.<br /> So, he was on board with this?<br /> A high-end club in Queenstown.<br /> Brandon lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed. He held his phone with slender fingers, staring at the call logs that had been cut off, and a faint smile played on his cool lips.<br /> "Is it really Miss Anworth from the Anworths?" Yorky held a glass of wine and expressed a hint of disbelief.<br /> "She said so," Brandon said with a low and enchanting voice, with a slightly cheerful tone.<br /> "Tsk!" Yorky expressed a mild exclamation and remarked, "Well, well! Miss Anworth does have quite a distinctive personality. I'm starting to view her in a different light."<br /> Although Brandon had a bad reputation, his family was financially stable.<br /> Though many girls desired to be his wife, the head of the Harts had already picked Miss Anworth as his future granddaughter-in-law.<br /> He thought the Anworths wouldn't break off the engagement.<br /> So, he investigated and found that the Anworths' business had declined in recent years, facing severe financial difficulties. The engagement with the Harts not only secured a marital alliance but also brought in a substantial investment, a stipulation set by the Harts patriarch.<br /> So, under any circumstances, Madam Anworth would never agree to cancel the engagement.<br /> It was surprising that Miss Anworth personally took the initiative to cancel the engagement.<br /> She truly embodied the reputation of being a highly talented woman in Queenstown, displaying a level of integrity that many other girls could not match.<br /> Brandon was in a good mood. His elongated eyes were almost closed into a thin line as he swiftly played his phone with his fingers.<br /> Yorky leaned in for a glance, expressing astonishment as he said, "Mr. Hart, why did you save the recording of the conversation with Miss Anworth?"<br /> Brandon casually lifted his gaze, continuing to play with his phone. "It's such a good thing. Why wouldn't I let my grandfather know and bring some joy to him?"<br /> "Will your grandfather get a heart attack when he finds out?" Yorky remarked. He couldn't imagine the scene after the old man knew about this.<br /> "He won't suffer from a heart attack. But maybe we would cry, make a fuss, or attempt suicide." These were the usual tactics used by her grandfather.<br /> In order to make him marry Miss Anworth, every possible method was used, causing him considerable distress.<br /> Now that Miss Anworth has chosen to cancel the engagement voluntarily, his grandfather should be able to settle down a bit.<br /> Taking a sip of his drink, Yorky turned to Brandon with a puzzled expression and inquired, "By the way, why don't you want to marry Miss Anworth? Hannah Anworth is not only attractive and academically outstanding but also reputed to have achieved success in various fields. Given her academic performance, she's almost guaranteed to secure a spot at a prestigious university. A wife of such caliber is truly a rare find."<br /> In the chilly atmosphere, Brandon set aside his phone and raised his wine glass, giving it a slight shake. "She's so outstanding, and I'm disabled. I shouldn't stand in her way."<br /> Yorky's shifted his attention to Brandon's faultless, elongated legs and silently looked away.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> As soon as Yvonne stepped into the bedroom, the phone started ringing. After checking the caller ID, she tensed up and walked to the window before answering the call.<br /> "I found the information," a low male voice came through the phone. "On the day your mother passed away, representatives from four influential families in Norbury showed up at your home."<br /> Yvonne's expression turned serious. "Four influential families?"<br /> "That's right!" the person on the other end continued, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, the Yeagers, and ... the Harts."<br /> Yvonne was surprised. "The Harts? Brandon's family?"<br /> "Yes," the person on the other end paused, "In Norbury, there are four prominent families. The Harts, the Smiths, the Anworths, and the Wagners. The Harts hold the foremost position among these four, being a truly elite aristocratic family. Among the families that have members visiting your home, except for the Harts, the other three are considered to be of moderate size."<br /> The person remained silent for a moment before stating, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers. These three families visited your home in search of something. I couldn't find out the specific details, but the person sent by the Harts to your home was Brandon ..."<br /> Yvonne's frigid gaze lifted, and her attractive brows furrowed tightly. "Brandon? What's his purpose?"<br /> "Seems like he's looking for someone."<br /> Yvonne refrained from commenting. She leaned against the bed's edge, and her fair, slender fingers tapped the windowsill slowly. After a considerable pause, she spoke at a measured pace, "Continue the investigation. Find out what the Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers are looking for! You don't need to worry about the Harts. I'll handle it myself."<br /> "Understood."<br /> Chapter 5 You Have No Manners at All!<br /> After hanging up the phone, Yvonne opened the window, gazing at the vivid blue sky outside with a composed expression.<br /> "Mom! Who exactly did you offend?"<br /> When Yvonne left the Anworths at the age of nine, the lasting memories etched in her mind portrayed her mother enduring mistreatment from Madam Anworth, and her mother always enduring it silently.<br /> During that period, she couldn't comprehend why her intelligent and efficient mother, despite being capable, endured bullying without putting up a fight.<br /> Once they left the Anworths, they found themselves being pursued by multiple groups. It was only when her mother demonstrated her enigmatic martial prowess and the art of acupoint sealing with silver needles that she realized her mother wasn't incapable of fighting back. Rather, she was actively avoiding the pursuit of others.<br /> Until one day, her mother received a phone call. At that moment, Yvonne noticed an unusual expression on her mother's face. But being young and having already experienced numerous escapes, she assumed that someone else was after them again.<br /> But that night, her mother took her own life!<br /> She met her demise at the hands of the poison she had personally developed!<br /> Prior to her passing, her mother had instructed her to seek out Master Reid at Haven Abbey, become his apprentice, undergo martial arts training, and remain on the mountain for a decade, tempering her skills for ten years.<br /> Her mother specifically ordered that, upon her death, she be cremated without any memorial erected.<br /> A decade later, she returned to the Anworths to find her father and fulfill her engagement with Brandon.<br /> She faithfully carried out all these instructions, with the sole exception of marrying Brandon.<br /> Over the previous ten years, she had lived under the constant weight of her mother's death every day. She had been determined to seek vengeance and wouldn't have allowed a marriage to obstruct her path.<br /> But then ....<br /> Brandon became entangled in the past events.<br /> With the marriage already canceled, any further investigation into the events of that year required a different approach.<br /> Suddenly, Yvonne's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a tumultuous knocking at the door.<br /> Upon opening the door, she witnessed Madam Anworth storming in accompanied by a group of people from the Anworths.<br /> The group consisted of Madam Anworth's eldest and youngest sons' families, along with Hannah.<br /> The small living room was now crowded with about a dozen people, each displaying visible anger. This resentment intensified, especially upon spotting Yvonne come out, as if they were eager to vent their frustration by tearing her apart.<br /> "Yvonne! You are a troublemaker! Who gave you permission to cancel the engagement with the Harts? What a bitch! Do you still have any respect for me?"<br /> As soon as Madam Anworth saw Yvonne, her elderly and cloudy eyes seemed to express intense anger or frustration.<br /> It was beyond her expectations that Yvonne would independently decide to cancel the engagement.<br /> She wouldn't be aware of it if Master Hart hadn't called.<br /> Fortunately, Master Hart approved of that marriage and didn't raise any objections. He emphasized that despite Brandon's physical disability, half of his future wealth would be allocated to him. If Hannah married Brandon, she wouldn't face any hardships, and she could contribute to supporting the Anworths' business in the future.<br /> Since Yvonne had recently returned, the Anworths had not disclosed her identity publicly. So, Master Hart was unaware that it was Yvonne who intended to marry Brandon, not Hannah.<br /> But Madam Anworth wasn't concerned about these details. In any case, Master Hart had requested the engagement with the granddaughter of the Anworths. So, as long as Yvonne married Brandon, the Anworth would still have received everything they were entitled to.<br /> But this troublemaker Yvonne unexpectedly canceled the engagement!<br /> Yvonne narrowed her eyes, emitting a hint of coldness. She stared at Madam Anworth without saying a word for a long time.<br /> "I'm the reason Yvonne canceled the engagement," Thomas protected Yvonne behind him and said seriously, "If something's bugging you, just address them directly to me."<br /> "Slap!" Madam Anworth slapped him in anger. "How dare you be so ungrateful! Don't you know what this marriage means to the Anworths?"<br /> Initially, she was reluctant to have Hannah marry Brandon. But she didn't formally break off the engagement. Her intention was to find a solution that would secure the Harts' investment while ensuring Hannah's well-being.<br /> But, with the involvement of Yvonne, jeopardizing the relationship with the Harts meant losing any financial benefit.<br /> "What does it mean?" Thomas sarcastically smiled and said, "Isn't it just to maintain your reputation? You look down on Yvonne, so you're willing to sacrifice her?"<br /> "Thomas!" Thomas's eldest brother, Troy Anworth, frowned and said, "How can you speak about Mom that way? She's doing it for the good of the Anworths. Besides, the Harts has assured us that Yvonne will be treated well when she marries into their household."<br /> "He's right, Thomas. Even though Brandon has a physical disability, his family is quite affluent. Look at Yvonne. She grew up in the countryside without receiving much education. She might not have even finished high school at the age of nineteen. She's unable to attend college. Her only option is to work ..."<br /> Ted Anworth, the second eldest brother, said, "Given her qualifications, she can only find jobs like a waitress. In terms of future partners, she can only choose someone ordinary. What's wrong with marrying Brandon? At least, she won't have to worry about her basic needs."<br /> "That's enough!" Thomas exclaimed, "Yvonne is my daughter, and I have the authority to decide whom she marries. No matter how good Brandon is, Yvonne won't be marrying him."<br /> "You!" Troy's face flushed with indignation. "This is utterly illogical!"<br /> Madam Anworth directed her anger towards Thomas, asserting, "You have no authority in this family. Since Yvonne is a granddaughter of the Anworths, she should play her part in supporting the family. We don't tolerate idleness in the Anworths!"<br /> "Hmm!" Yvonne scoffed, her eyes reflecting a touch of scorn.<br /> Madam Anworth abruptly turned her gaze towards her, her eyes sharp as if she had been unexpectedly poisoned. "Why are you laughing?"<br /> Yvonne raised her head, her clear and captivating eyes fixed on Madam Anworth. "I'm laughing at your selective memory! It appears that I haven't received any financial support from you since birth, never been nurtured by you, so where does my contribution come into play?"<br /> Even though she was young at the time, she distinctly recalled that her grandmother never even bought her a piece of candy.<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth was infuriated, her gaze towards Yvonne carrying a trace of bitterness.<br /> This little troublemaker was sharp-tongued!<br /> "Yvonne!" Troy expressed his anger, "How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? She is your elder! Is this how your mother raised you?"<br /> With a nonchalant look, Yvonne's red lips curled slightly, and hands in pockets. She responded, "Sorry, my mom is dead. Why don't you go ask her in the underworld how she taught me?"<br /> Troy's face flushed with anger. "You have no manners at all!"<br /> The rest of the Anworth was infuriated by Yvonne's indifferent demeanor.<br /> But everyone remained silent because Madam Anworth was present.<br /> Despite the unspoken words, the intense glares directed at Yvonne seemed almost predatory. But Yvonne remained unfazed, lifting her chin indifferently.<br /> Madam Anworth observed Yvonne for a prolonged moment. She took deep breaths to quell her anger and softened her tone as she remarked, "Your mother arranged this marriage. She wouldn't harm you. Master Hart expressed his hope that you would still honor the engagement with Brandon."<br /> Yvonne looked at her with a faint smile but did not respond.<br /> Madam Anworth's expression tightened as she spoke sternly, "Yvonne! Let me remind you! The place you currently occupy is my provision. If you refuse to marry Brandon, I will reclaim this house. Besides, your father will be ousted from the company under my authority. As long as I am present, he will be unable to secure employment in Queenstown. Without financial means, he won't be able to sustain your family!"<br /> Before Yvonne could say anything, Thomas stepped forward and earnestly declared, "If you want to take the house, go ahead. I am capable of taking care of my wife and child with my own hands and feet. I refuse to let Yvonne be pushed into a difficult situation!"<br /> Madam Anworth was so angry that she wanted to slap him, but she held it back. She gritted her teeth and looked at Thomas. "Fine! You have courage. I'm curious to see how resilient you can be!"<br /> In a cold tone, Madam Anworth added, "You have one hour to move out. Do it immediately!" | Bad Novel | 17 | https://facebook.com/61554129711665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56917 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 11:43 AM | 1703105785 | 1724085834 | 65 | 620346370111799 | 5 | 6.8907228669931E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721075470167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678939 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDpANmVtKC4AX8h6Tp8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6SoWFW329POs3qMQcQ18vFx-EGMLmInqXadmv3Wu-Ig&oe=6587A16B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55642 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 7:53 PM | 1703105772 | 1747615986 | 65 | 1059477041962269 | 2 | 1.0089377503986E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063109280729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702609674 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409435039_727491702257150_3044873283898044693_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4MfQsThISgoAX9iH9ZH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfChKjNRh1nFfYS4VyP7EwlTxJKtJ2hHpAPqQGH91ZTJ2w&oe=65888543 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409408847_229393310180826_6978829311705487115_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GDdXUg5FFHEAX9dt7Wd&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfApS-4id1nrCCOuqs9cUDzWtPofDm5az-kjkfvPrIEDHA&oe=65885B3E | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56197 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/28/25, 3:30 AM | 1703105777 | 1740735056 | 65 | 1098843924814055 | 1 | 8.8213666357374E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 188721004321129 | 0 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | 120201782606340088 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your Family | JOANNA-A67 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a67-1 | 1702025132 | 1.8872100432113E+14 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407997752_325337457115437_8065519992525307825_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JSC-qw9FwO4AX8-aGhA&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAhZwLgM-o555Wuprj1zH1SpwVRDn-GfAwTpcaJZtrF-g&oe=6588FB8C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT2aY-Wal-3UpErQ_XT4RQXJDwS4rzRf9zjL0hWOs6wp_Fnl60LSH5C4In-_m9Z3ovC5W2NCLAFFHGSaYdgiEiJWYytv_V40ofVoDbEwz87isE2GjJjngguFM5dbPcBlum0j_lKIqzFDI2coYeChcF5x8eI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | FamilyShirt A16Nu-51 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61554060344290 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56717 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 11:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722988752 | 65 | 649866970562020 | 3.6652817912708E+14 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 520171088019503 | 0 | Liforme | 6528911330664 | liforme.com | Shop now | NONE | image | http://liforme.com/ | 1700945594 | 5.201710880195E+14 | Liforme | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406099342_729721612352105_2456704453891670776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EeAglod4nI8AX-B4poW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCOXrqNp5a3gB6OQ_WQpU6p4Jy-lQEgJhCmB_IBr33K7g&oe=6588C319 | person_profile | 0 | Liforme Yoga | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404656928_706643908064436_8436162110122725954_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O125WqfF0wcAX-EpKNa&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZQGb8W27nbe2oif5Lxbh_OgXOWzncwAzNSk2qjpy7lQ&oe=65884A56 | 0 | 3 | 🖤 BLACK FRIDAY SALE continues! 🖤 Catch the best Liforme deals this year with amazing savings on all products! <br /> <br /> Liforme mats are the grippiest, and we’re sticking to that. 💪✨<br /> <br /> Don't let your Yoga practice slip away from you. Deepen your pose and advance your practice safely with our revolutionary GripForMe® top surface. Stays grippy, even when sweaty wet. No towel required!<br /> <br /> Head over to <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FLiforme.com%2F&h=AT2_vtlKwaqVP1FvR0SNxI3q44uTpVtmm4CPNjUxarrD3N8cmbvHA-bI3Rs6Ox2GIaUpolPxpSRbrsmSmsz5NtiDSzADOPOwSFSl0ZLdLrnrkn1uHYbp9ZGcQqfupnH6SSiQZ3HEfi9OCNhJNBZGNw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">Liforme.com</a> to get our truly transformative Yoga mats for less during our biggest sale event of the year. Everything is on sale including our custom mats featured here! Link in bio! 🔗✨<br /> <br /> Sending our love and thanks to the incredible @facetka_od_jogi pictured here on a Liforme x You Custom Yoga mat. Special thanks to @lekko_store and @Joanna.kepa.foto for the beautiful shot! ❤️🙏<br /> <br /> <br /> #liforme #yoga #yogamat #liveformore #Yogi #yogaeverydamnday #yogapractice #yogainspiration #yogamagic | Liforme | 118723 | https://facebook.com/LiformeYoga | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56699 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 4:19 PM | 1703105783 | 1747603172 | 65 | 883446473383262 | 1 | 9.0357144070072E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674095780115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700970015 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406016600_1035020094450942_3056561326279875957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KAQDbkilyQ4AX8Oh-cR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwg85TNCMJAYG37NZ3aFgZQo2Gnf-nDUhNqWgFClCI3w&oe=65893127 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406045072_1055882518778085_2565306792317696418_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=csQLQShe8zIAX9ptvZF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJ_1bEhqkWkQCwNla429ay1OnrMDz2eA_65-uFw0gfzg&oe=658935F8 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56511 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 4:33 PM | 1703105781 | 1747604012 | 65 | 1246713702936096 | 1 | 2.6868459581393E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1467682719924526 | 0 | Portland, OR Local - News Break | 120201153961000465 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Portland! | A homicide case out of Clark County possibly linked to a local serial killer has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Portland Police Bureau. Joanna K. Speaks, 32, is one of five young women whose bodies were found within three months earlier this year in the greater Portland area. Investigat... | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0puQqBfX?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701252859 | 1.4676827199245E+15 | Portland, OR Local - News Break | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406649110_1690526641433789_8382022368595997534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ySsmadjk860AX_K-uqv&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDGW97QzfW4WLLbLZ6Jr00z_PDG3sxiQ5HLgzg4vAIu8g&oe=6588DB4F | person_profile | 0 | Portland, OR Local - News Brea | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406672673_6889609304493465_7373526083039844307_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YauBmp24xVwAX8C_wUS&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDrtf_WpUPjthWREIBn0m3UdKIEOu4MbB2eoLkRXa2teg&oe=65879430 | 0 | 3 | Portland News: Victims' families offer reward as Portland police investigate second possible serial killing. | Portland, OR Local - News Break | 4771 | https://facebook.com/PortlandLocalNews | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55570 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/26/24, 2:24 PM | 1703105771 | 1724700277 | 65 | 295724272899336 | 1 | 8.9946701136314E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751650506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636934 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411080471_325619856988811_2277000323318070672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LvqSKsvmPK0AX-Y08rl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBTIgIMjpIwPj1Y0BlaQ77y1_hWi46f669fyIyB-ybDSQ&oe=658860BB | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409789403_764244762182253_7560308920179920122_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lbgvrocnYAgAX8WIGit&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAGvbqsHqBtWC2DpJzKrXW9sA_wK32x9daVeaoyBVMrWw&oe=6587E088 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55902 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/25/24, 1:15 AM | 1703105774 | 1732518931 | 65 | 291117647223898 | 2 | 1.0483882328744E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501559293289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428422 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410729796_362868453093528_7858765302815407632_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4kgBQXE1RsMAX_DHpZl&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCCFarWVh7nsZDlwlIomcSfGDQiZjNX_67s0MVKgqxv7g&oe=65888C4A | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410807275_1571990086873633_1111329175129373358_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=idJtLclljwMAX8DWZKM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAA2uNeRYAvQi-dpH9AzqNKhdTT1zVeax9gHLhfzpNA4Q&oe=6588C03E | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT3tUQPtzoBvZlDojHagRrLo9W7dLhjjp17jENhmP3pEKqN9YqH0i0P6ZDBd0oUknqchIvnINKKR8RIX54yU-0os5Vmr2x52hEavqLO3SAEpBFpmzJBy50JqGuZ39LeWaPUatuJbQ8ZaXubBLbAXMXOCwHO2SHQnSLRCg1jI5Rez8iZ666fDeUrQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55871 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 5:37 PM | 1703105774 | 1747607849 | 65 | 1185835972803096 | 1 | 3.2690373010265E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434463090465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447716 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409599198_664130025902836_2546949159545133598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9ziH4--8SYQAX-5_0As&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCYUL04L1YoQN4f85LdtqMDocZyORUcGLP_2BoKcWFPYw&oe=6587712E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409792481_190736997449295_6233754908890991825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4D0bxHb1iPsAX9sdFv_&_nc_oc=AQn5XW73SSS0e0hYi06rVDM_-2pzNQpesRc0NAdnYWTsa1kKMRTrKqmipa01y713URj-24ZnsDSe9GHpYLzw8Rry&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAf6RmmvYAShA6aaN2u9KzjLkgwBw5XWWB0zF9yzndkIg&oe=6587DDD7 | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56539 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 9:24 PM | 1703105781 | 1743215046 | 65 | 229285990103913 | 2 | 1.2240310095171E+14 | 1694156400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23858300666650562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔴Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1692631707 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/368242123_2506831992818648_8365173657155055232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0cjrFEPYG8UAX_sOpkb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCqfD7LfK6Hz2ZnRajryL_ibD_6Sj_hkWEZy8TITkiawg&oe=65876A44 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Co …On. … Żeby on, ….dlaczego on <br /> <br /> TYMI pytaniami zaczynają rozmowy ze mną kobiety, które być może tkwią w nierównych relacjach i powielają bolesne wzorce miłości. <br /> <br /> Wiesz, jak to rozpoznaję? <br /> <br /> Właśnie po tych pytaniach<br /> <br /> DLACZEGO ON…<br /> ŻEBY ON… <br /> CO ON…<br /> <br /> Nic o sobie, mało uwagi na siebie.<br /> Za to cała uwaga na niego. <br /> <br /> ……..<br /> <br /> Ona- ostatnia w kolejce do siebie. <br /> <br /> Za jego potrzebami<br /> Za jego czasem- to ona dostępna bardziej<br /> Za jego bez decyzyjnością<br /> Za jego ….<br /> <br /> A potem u niej<br /> <br /> # huśtawka emocji, <br /> # udawana radość, a pod nią ból, tęsknota, lęk przed samotnością <br /> # pytania- dokąd to zmierza, <br /> # co dalej, <br /> # co ja naprawde znaczę,<br /> # co on robi…<br /> <br /> Albo jeszcze<br /> <br /> # co ze mną jest nie tak, <br /> # czy On mnie chce…<br /> # co zrobić, aby wreszcie się zdecydował …<br /> <br /> To powiem wprost- wzorzec miłości BOLESNY <br /> <br /> I krótka mocna teza: <br /> <br /> Jeśli nie widzisz siebie jako priorytetu<br /> <br /> On też Cię NIE WIDZI JAKO PRIORYTETU. <br /> <br /> Ale, to NIE jest Twoja wina.<br /> <br /> To NIEŚWIADOME Twoje zachowania, emocje, myśli, reakcje, które działają dokładnie przeciw temu, czego pragniesz w związku. <br /> A on swoim zachowaniem, jak w lustrze tylko Ci to odzwierciedla. <br /> <br /> DOBRA WIADOMOŚĆ JEST TAKA. <br /> Że możesz te wzorce "odczarować". <br /> <br /> A jak zechcesz być priorytetem. <br /> Siebie musisz postawić wewnętrznie jako priorytet. <br /> <br /> Jedną SWOJĄ decyzją zacząć GŁĘBOKĄ transformację.<br /> Siebie i tej relacji. <br /> <br /> Kliknij i odbierz 1 sze wideo/ Poznaj 3 ślepe punkty, przez które wchodzi się w nierówne związki<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT23TythMVEw7VHqXA-mV_-CcNU0N_m-1IlWhADVd2l-4fkQSGFZkryJG3xyNyxVRBefg8tVUGX1zuR9mRpF4gCazqICdGRawL0CybkNi0Xkh-PpOuZYJntV4E10owqoBnSJ3F3XKLbTnbkuAuw1jk7OegveMaVTD_FIMg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> i dołącz do kursu Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości. | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1692601200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56622 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 9:32 PM | 1703105782 | 1743215525 | 65 | 1280857359262874 | 7 | 1.297378697477E+15 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495714867956 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 40-50% OFF | Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates | Start your New Year off with Wisdom. | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700485661 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKayuX-3JXIAX90ZiN_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfASjThw0a7Us07cw7UrEvCde-JpIiIvZ2XVMq90xDGY6w&oe=6587F304 | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iIzwmS9EthQAX_y88nu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA8fZZEqIRrH9JmMp1W-tGXirIAVAa6aLSqofRl5Ik7sA&oe=6587627A | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56360 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970751 | 65 | 729890321902343 | 1 | 1.5087622365691E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1054880307978117 | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 120201440749690249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/lunabydrakedustin | 1701717833 | 1.0548803079781E+15 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407687937_362629002916359_521187055794424269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i1IR0yixaIkAX9pLBEn&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAg5QdStqsVWe5gPTX-q3QglNNYPtZf34JeNiM55e7ySA&oe=65877EE2 | person_profile | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721979_1597657157709230_7686680800966949785_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lVAw0DomeGgAX-Oc8FT&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDCLu6juLYy_V92D2jJMAi67WNxOsJf2d5WRkJMuPDPvQ&oe=6588125D | 0 | 3 | IN HER ELEMENT. For the most-awaited April 2023 issue of #TatlerPhilippines (@tatlerphilippines), #NadineLustre (@nadine) stunned everyone again with her ethereal appearance that is as beautiful as a scenic view. This time, Nadine was really ‘In Her Element’ as she became vocal about the imperative role of everyone to teach the young about environmentalism’s significance in today’s world. Read an article excerpt from Nadine’s cover issue and heed her call to start saving the planet in our simple ways. <br /> <br /> Photographed by BJ Pascual @bjpascual <br /> Styling by Joanna Garcia @joannagee <br /> Hair by Paul Nebres @paulnebres <br /> Makeup by Jelly Eugenio @jellyeugenio <br /> Nadine wearing @ushisato & @lunabydrakedustin<br /> <br /> Grab a copy now of @tatlerphilippines April 2023 featuring #NadineLustre ✨ | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 272992 | https://facebook.com/LunaByDrakeDustin | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55587 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 6:11 PM | 1703105771 | 1724109095 | 65 | 3597325893873566 | 1 | 9.0562926763517E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011726230506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636892 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410555250_909839887428494_6166311610774969835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OLhJiCnQhpcAX-MvkJR&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAa6qPtLbdeHF3BPw00e1cAdL0GoEWPMuIpSQjtSzNAdA&oe=6587DAE9 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411421344_925671488891222_4361927667501417689_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Me_cUuY1fAAAX8U_X89&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfB9y4VlRTqfaDoEY77pLvldJKmsmkl3Z5z3Ma2DUlQxaQ&oe=6587C614 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55580 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/8/24, 3:31 PM | 1703105771 | 1725827478 | 65 | 736586245022013 | 1 | 8.7851860375468E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011738810506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636917 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410839837_1449188012331636_1837975426268480633_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nNhj7yaUSjQAX8FmFcc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBUirbXQLgVJyuOs3ePO_7BSn_81hZAVf7hqKSZrfbnwA&oe=6587F018 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410654939_731896305064021_9161503040910178876_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k8lAg3JY5YAAX9ymnTG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAwz7M8pJXAzkfw4h34LfgctDtxNOgIGfx0fzPk-Vz3sg&oe=6587C147 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55652 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/8/24, 3:33 PM | 1703105772 | 1725827588 | 65 | 1778094352603338 | 2 | 1.5846127886106E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063091010729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702609650 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409821473_840350071158004_1551829916522602642_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qYqOOrDjmk4AX9506Wp&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDjoBXNlYhv5qSGTpW9NVIrIrBovaoEpxiMg8fg4oX4fw&oe=65887C2A | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410234838_272986275761345_569294375988697448_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h1Al6Dr6nuwAX8JaErn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDHYW96AJCnthRoNfIAOv57PR1Oz4oeKyZuyyKL6ei6hA&oe=658879D2 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55960 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/8/24, 3:36 PM | 1703105775 | 1725827803 | 65 | 3096221847178127 | 2.9873383587064E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140225069170076 | 0 | HistoryNow | 120207705502190456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389290 | 1.4022506917008E+14 | HistoryNow | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406870401_7702963333064814_6799847833568892334_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ga97L6S07c0AX-MPYli&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQNVXGSey7zhvYLZhBWYo0TbSpTBn5j7VTzbmAoqjtOQ&oe=65890737 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | HistoryNow | 264 | https://facebook.com/61551862348233 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56614 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 3:12 AM | 1703105782 | 1750925574 | 65 | 1049102129615577 | 1 | 6.5220731710988E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 298516343584252 | 0 | Monica Murphy | 120202351767020268 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🏈 Sports Romance FREE in Kindle Unlimited | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZJZ6RQF?maas=maas_adg_31A58B4F12F85746A89F9C3FE006C7A2_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas | 1701106083 | 2.9851634358425E+14 | Monica Murphy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405717936_1339427813353646_1912124820002705163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1bO86GUmfpQAX_MHBWb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBd7QHEbP1kie_C9W2n50WvqoVvZOTMustCPWPlMaPDKw&oe=658753A9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Joanna, a reserved junior at Colorado University, lives a life far removed from the spotlight, preferring the quiet lanes of academia to the uproarious fame of campus sports. But her world tilts on its axis when Knox Maguire, the star offensive tight end and a campus legend, strides into her bookstore sanctuary. In him, she sees everything she vowed to avoid—a mirror of her athlete father, a man she has cut out of her life.<br /> <br /> Yet, fate has other plans. Thrown together by chance, Joanna becomes Knox's unlikely English tutor, an assignment that sparks a forbidden attraction. Each session blurs the line between professionalism and a smoldering desire that even the hushed corridors of the library can't contain. Knox, known for his player persona, finds himself genuinely captivated by Joanna's quiet strength and sharp wit, challenging her guarded skepticism and awakening a passion she's never dared to explore.<br /> <br /> But as their academic roles tangle with unspoken emotions, Joanna is haunted by lingering doubts. Is her heart safe with Knox, or is she just another name in his playbook? Torn between the pull of desire and the fear of vulnerability, Joanna stands at a crossroads. In a world where campus fame collides with scholarly duty, can love truly conquer all, or is it destined to be another lesson learned?<br /> <br /> 'Playing Hard to Get' is a tale of forbidden love and hidden depths, where the stakes are not just academic success, but the risk of falling hard and fast. Will Joanna and Knox's story defy the odds, or will it succumb to the pressures of a world where notoriety and quiet dreams seldom meet? | Monica Murphy | 50003 | https://facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55449 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 4:14 PM | 1703105770 | 1745702049 | 65 | 277168211613131 | 1 | 6.6846094540033E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109595758126082 | 0 | Veronica Garcia | 120202833645960513 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/inked_byve | 1702869243 | 1.0959575812608E+14 | Veronica Garcia | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411128584_1245917013466876_8922063565126142867_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5XuhcoXxRjwAX_BNccB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA4BJjAEU--SxFknDgS0kI_mVKOAj5O1Y80pZR-iOsvkQ&oe=6587DC6C | person_profile | 0 | Veronica Garcia | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411501884_260614986777977_4943098774164732397_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oxgbrzPWHqoAX8l2Omi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAlNBQpldiGUp4ErAOfmr8z9ssFlFZ09ROwpt_lz3D-pw&oe=65887B99 | 0 | 3 | Thank you again Joanna❤️ My books are currently open! Link in my bio!!! | Veronica Garcia | 5 | https://facebook.com/100075987331439 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56652 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970751 | 65 | 894969255299040 | 2 | 6.948599559537E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203280986320596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701067795 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404617419_658282249793323_7240651422716422980_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k7qV1V82p8YAX8H4ZSW&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOBtMV6bI61RsqzsdWJrExXf3VSmeUbOw9wToyWyn7yw&oe=65879CA4 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404637004_364844929382188_6699639089043337707_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qM6lJZGTh0UAX8SbcIu&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUsnb-PT-cOOriB636UQChTFf1NnKmawJWWhah7ObYVg&oe=6588C457 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55728 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/17/24, 3:10 PM | 1703105772 | 1734469856 | 65 | 886403959811049 | 2 | 1.519232485522E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104503492084237 | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | 6522175068454 | healthandhappinesshubb.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Le Creuset Cookware Sets are now On-The-House | https://healthandhappinesshubb.com/ | 1702519941 | 1.0450349208424E+14 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411086277_924097462636328_226481072795462389_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RHd3PKKbKoAAX_g9Y9p&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBSysUcKF7ZkY1nAJWxmPC7zh2a1H3fjODNmA7UvNK9_Q&oe=65880801 | person_profile | 0 | Health and Happiness Hub | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411114257_1036300194328977_5058808124536494925_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iGdWlGlEOQoAX8_sfb4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7u38EbsmFk9Fh-33g92D5lrJboKamOwN4udusPXio-A&oe=658889AF | 0 | 3 | 🎁🎄DAY 8 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Give_away Sponsored by Chip & Joanna! | Health and Happiness Hub | 79 | https://facebook.com/61551512137589 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55455 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/7/24, 6:24 AM | 1703105770 | 1733574295 | 65 | 1784564878661469 | 3 | 3.4553345143511E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201984122390452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702864367 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412303866_3495303287351778_8076143579267895596_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KUxyywv2hF8AX89fQPh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBkcACZBG1sym__LEjTPObshwXgSa2gWIVUvUkJaT1wOQ&oe=658923DD | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412297180_335243632619538_6435596061384046112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D93ijgo0J6cAX_4G2eK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBnQeRBYtWcpeO2Jz3i_mT3-8DgDXhR8kfRJUrMe5KIFQ&oe=6587A6C7 | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT3xH9-4RpzjSRfq-dTb5aDU1BghMpBxTiIjLZ5eVIACIBU18BpEXyfgytfpxQda4GflHvNq4G8sdw4ZvPN6UUk21JnHVbRug6KnUPUAHpcVJsHyMQKFxBeygD-tPOGc5IexhXBlNsmQMz0o0oK4-xobvk0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55431 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/17/24, 10:32 AM | 1703105769 | 1734453123 | 65 | 911420627024763 | 2 | 3.75085856848E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534471647573 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898371 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411133811_3514292242145933_584050983302642923_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5UpkMmeZ4R8AX_2nwXr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBok5FjAbv4VMfR5FZNsjIbQMIrD9ffgYAsc_XZaEf-Ew&oe=6587616C | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412302863_744853957495109_8908422657099145833_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3xHBv1T9OMgAX9G8wqf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDV_pxhP0-Zuq6Wq3WR2zH9q-_lN5lwQfEjg7c1-FwPqw&oe=6588893F | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT2TQdAEfCEobe05lLDXpqHSpoFDgpyMdwNfI3U2QsbrcPVQVKp0aQm2KA1vJMg8ITggZ2k-D0sGhe436mnbu9Ys8IiKOJbW_KF1aKceB0yFdZKkELvA6obtqGII6GxMy72PIdN1YFYF7s0fVjaRLJX1vjc" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT3FnU-74yXGj6aPe4goEdEdRKKIWxlaFEDKxrtdjKDN6x8pAx4Tuhj_MgAfDbhfBrPzQ-AW_3DKmoaqH4MufUnELz3HLdqv0ivupjl7Zl9QrlVdm1Y-7Oxm-XawgrLQZnydYF5O9xg58CIaEaz3FahnfL0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT1TkqSIqs15sVKvjhpKU6c7qpR0Qr-Vthc0OEqut1EYXlEudb-0jcI4XzyxFKkDwfBjv4jYuya1-SF2U06GJJ6Pl-J7saxHbrb5asdJdWlHaruyMdZ0KOgkQ55io10Suj_F3zWyEDV94XNBR4o9oN2aaCI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56416 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/3/25, 7:40 PM | 1703105780 | 1751589635 | 65 | 309865151941059 | 3.6835281908598E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 87429818855 | 0 | Crown Publishing | 6486607161456 | penguinrandomhouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | THE HOME EDIT: STAY ORGANIZED | NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the authors of The Home Edit and The Home Edit Life and hosts of the Netflix series Get Organized with The Home Edit, comes a guide to the most important phase of... | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727270/the-home-edit-stay-organized-by-clea-shearer-and-joanna-teplin/?ref=PRHE95EC42927AF&aid=18484&linkid=PRHE95EC42927AF | 1701441170 | 87429818855 | Crown Publishing | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407417056_355717763775590_8227335687279284918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FjEgbqEAGfYAX91hDcg&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDHWCdZFf1Dpq9-7vUYX0xxsuPnr70lINiPwyCB_TarLw&oe=65888B2C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick | Crown Publishing | 71995 | https://facebook.com/CrownPublishing | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55987 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 8:36 PM | 1703105775 | 1724117808 | 65 | 1050223782690751 | 1 | 7.6094717920617E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205057980280427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702371277 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406868951_1037186887401449_325268379889717981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yj3yrAfd-osAX_L9cMv&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfD9WWBA_YMJ6MVg8uV1ehrISru8PqviHOONW8T0__VVRg&oe=6588653F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409559942_386435810397385_7254711632310337614_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=srvQIDAXVOwAX8hJSEe&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCKccvlmVgeBLi85YZshU061gtrtwNUImh36o2OHDUWVQ&oe=65880C41 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56288 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1703105778 | 1723710490 | 65 | 1024042748704227 | 1.0403142506366E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259987710 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899280 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408064191_1770144526744749_5352570127653195130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qMtJkWCR9boAX_bJqar&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCXljkPTtzVi8ZZ_doJ2r0rDVSVwje0xaSt2CQdGpb7MA&oe=65884897 | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408101477_318702174386477_525701783350160657_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RS6KMVo43SgAX_0nslg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDMX8T5Ckw5A8ksVjnDDb34audUhDoN8LyDa5WXQRQs6A&oe=65883D36 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56720 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:07 AM | 1703105783 | 1723709241 | 65 | 1380737802546103 | 1 | 7.2530484909919E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120203184809650409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700944921 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406041211_882496020236185_6809653296963346246_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5REOUIMAKH8AX-KCjSD&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAC_ZUBO56MPBYsQ6gI_R8FzScJfGUbx5zz_pVUGmyB9Q&oe=658937BB | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406055478_339432498698783_5843116895124442163_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9kq0ROdyQKAAX9b4zR2&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDaBGmqz2B9juLbyDqdBkruvM62fUJrWOGmMVR7zU7R8Q&oe=658851BD | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56434 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1703105780 | 1723710526 | 65 | 6947854471937170 | 1 | 1.0723308208704E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200731438670540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701410887 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401258275_3460131850871104_618686418538284388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jBKsGSfwNeQAX_1B0Ya&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCF5tbzXIbalrE_v3OYucCJNJRFtYcm6CEYWxzBafEA2Q&oe=6588852D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407163124_737140688231217_2497785612608877398_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=J-BC2OfR3jYAX9Q_2yJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfClSs33WchlpeUVSxJyiTm8yJwQ6cJiaYWdedurz-oN9Q&oe=65891012 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55370 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:16 AM | 1703105769 | 1723709760 | 65 | 923726278639393 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55770 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:47 AM | 1703105773 | 1723711633 | 65 | 651492280250005 | 1 | 3.8787254039049E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548034009 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494476 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410742636_1531848107612588_1855347930120417494_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gXW-6XXFAkAX-bMcuA&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCNmQXg_5QSNz89sECUhqFvkKcQZw24n9GgkdlrW59HTg&oe=65879B59 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410907190_2119081171767726_1910634602568582982_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C3MUoS0jtNAAX-vPY1A&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfA42fUq80UC29qIUGhfwqjARyP44P9TU2xz7Hpq3bEfRg&oe=65882520 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55428 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/30/24, 5:33 PM | 1703105769 | 1735601622 | 65 | 689323176658229 | 1 | 1.658459891592E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534471331173 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898308 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410928386_896127521730137_6087692828083529154_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AeKp_Z0iiW0AX8vwybd&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCwbEgFW0TCN7fhk_HhnBb9TAKS7Z-0OG1qgt5uyx0n3w&oe=65888596 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410958806_358410613505281_200806254127715030_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vZ2UXrahTS4AX_3_9OM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD2M4zT2N1gDCMhNWAE84ilm1vrokeOnfHefuQ0iFyvhA&oe=658784DE | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT0JsJ4MSh8GqdhaFq2baND_qpdMDTa-lH1jaDps3RgMwja2-TlAJRahTgWSX7QExMZdfhR5klwfUUf3jTIOTERxttIGmaFmGYyZjAMIkkjNO7kDhEHQySPdG1KdfkeRlSab9Qnlj6Z6z_7DxEtNcKEnoPY" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT28gb3skRcjHhtzDRbOr2FBb5SfyadoC30mmlv_DaB5CoecMEBDFx8IZsTPGlFgsIlF2gTsii9rL_6By5Tou_ouxPRWIkKj0j7_ZNeIPcUlX3vQ7q6mddtPPoHGLl_q5xolMzs7Ni3h-QwRmnfGYj86-w0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT1uNRJjtmjElFSG6G3syl4uMGRt7iPdfMBOihz2JSPzlcry5AsR5nP0qvnyd_9J8aF6KtpPvbP7a00IdgOpTkAYzd7EdDQFEWumyHMbYM9ZfLtRW0InxVWO-KySo7SGIiBQMgv-phZn70IezMn9Dqms7UU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56162 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/16/25, 1:57 AM | 1703105777 | 1737014258 | 65 | 281444317756536 | 4 | 3.6017906668063E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104004358796647 | 0 | IMIND Mental Health | 120201977410450224 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Experience Freedom From Depression With TMS Therapy | http://fb.me/ | 1701803349 | 1.0400435879665E+14 | IMIND Mental Health | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408044445_2051447535218730_4251588098596658744_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TYV46aLavj0AX8dC1XZ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQ0gvX3F3arRpOoUQMYOicVVmQ7Bu8A93_nO5TVauNXA&oe=6587F6BB | person_profile | 0 | iMind Mental Health Solutions | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407849277_1079092816760410_1784455359833168243_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wWpe_lmc2f4AX_tGTKx&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAn3JhTXICYHg5TQSlEkogAmWF2Hr20bCpp5gHisTVMcQ&oe=6587B5C1 | 0 | 3 | Many depression sufferers have tried everything. <br /> <br /> They've tried anti-depressants...sometimes 3 or 4 different kinds.<br /> <br /> They've tried traditional "talk" counseling.<br /> <br /> They've tried following mental health advice.<br /> <br /> They’ve listened to their friends and family tell them to “just choose to be happy”.<br /> <br /> But for many people suffering from depression, none of the above have truly helped them find lasting relief.<br /> <br /> Until now.<br /> <br /> A new form of treatment known as Brainsway TMS Therapy has been clinically proven to be effective at treating depression at its source.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy uses magnetic-stimulation to reach the part of the brain that controls whether a person feels happy or sad.<br /> <br /> In fact, Brainsway TMS Therapy has been proven to be effective for patients who didn't respond to traditional depression treatments.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS therapy can potentially help depression sufferers get off their antidepressants, which is a major plus for many patients.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy is:<br /> <br /> ☑️ Safe<br /> ☑️ FDA-approved<br /> ☑️ Medication-free<br /> ☑️ Covered by most insurances<br /> ☑️ No systemic side effects<br /> <br /> Thinking Brainsway TMS Therapy may be the right choice? And want more information? <br /> <br /> Here’s what to do:<br /> <br /> Click "Learn More" below<br /> Fill out the form (30 seconds)<br /> Schedule a free phone consultation.<br /> <br /> Talk soon!<br /> <br /> Dr. JoAnna VanVleet, D.O., D.F.A.P.A.<br /> iMind Mental<br /> Port St. Lucie, FL<br /> <br /> For faster service, call (877) 355-8780 | IMIND Mental Health | 219 | https://facebook.com/iMindMentalHealth | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55312 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 11:39 AM | 1703105768 | 1731152340 | 65 | 1521958638584945 | 1 | 1.5299575378258E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 459491697890358 | 0 | Matt Frazier | 120202369613930095 | roadrunnerwattsaver.com | Learn more | NONE | image | "Half Price for Seniors - Unbeatable Savings! Grabbing it is earning it." | This is Elon Musk and Joanna Gaines's nobleaspiration to benefit humanity and fulfill the.. | https://www.roadrunnerwattsaver.com/collections/all/10-off-guppy-bag?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_placement={{placement}}&ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702978484 | 4.5949169789036E+14 | Matt Frazier | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412400363_1046009383312976_4098856293232903106_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AoqdLlVNf2UAX8gkNfY&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBy7iNWNKd7QYsC8oM1aglPMXrMRIs7KT371XHUd9lLag&oe=658878E9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | "This is an opportunity for everyone 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄<br /> 🔋𝐄𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐤'𝐬 Energy Plan is approved by the Department of Justice, you can save up to 90% on your energy bill with this energy saving device!<br /> 𝐄𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐤'𝐬 has signed a new production agreement in Texas and even invited the renowned designers, the Gaines couple, to endorse it. The first twenty customers to purchase this product..." | Matt Frazier | 31 | https://facebook.com/HAILFRAZIER47 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56596 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 10:51 PM | 1703105782 | 1724125872 | 65 | 261930803546329 | 1 | 8.7786128031632E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715938630115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140271 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405704023_6839777966137792_2383900535938542352_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m4Cc7b-2RacAX-4u321&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfA5CpnqbXLHcuSJC1eNaZTEhRcPNtyQZ_iF-n8E-qW9Rw&oe=65885083 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406503796_1415652949382386_6818746534160605008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lsUSVBup8tUAX9ss50D&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLrd4pcnou-NOPkFZLGi7ifHcioLArJIpVdxgydItdtw&oe=65885326 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56407 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/17/24, 2:32 PM | 1703105780 | 1734467575 | 65 | 901020771593234 | 1 | 2.3120760990019E+15 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120200567739350328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1043708276947694/ | 1701531475 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406767387_650812633884647_6584833787894882770_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-jF5D8ormuYAX8a9h_g&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfBGMijP5C4HvSu_E9yELV7Qnhjciyk_RBwnkRrTHi5dug&oe=6588C56A | 0 | 3 | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment - $695.00<br /> <br /> Spacious one-bedroom apartment for rent in Columbus, GA for $695. This updated retreat features modern touches, offering comfort and style. Close to shopping centers. Dont miss the chance to make this your new home. Schedule a viewing today!<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56906 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 10:52 PM | 1703105785 | 1724125967 | 65 | 722951702630909 | 1.7938580343989E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102865022224801 | 0 | Tell All Know All | 120200721466810167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679791 | 1.028650222248E+14 | Tell All Know All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762291_1473273089884334_200510394569536447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=myoXacbeIywAX9F0xi-&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPKE0VUFFA6GLSDz7FUUosTrj2f6a4MduBIZf2DcoEEw&oe=65890CC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Tell All Know All | 330 | https://facebook.com/100076181432751 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55402 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/4/25, 11:30 PM | 1703105769 | 1743827406 | 65 | 1794602141004434 | 1 | 9.0415852130416E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 148169158577610 | 0 | Art League of Hilton Head | 6554739604867 | shop.artleaguehhi.org | Buy tickets | NONE | event | "Recycled Collage" with Joanna Chalson (January & February 2024) | https://shop.artleaguehhi.org/module/class/526951/recycled-collage-with-joanna-chalson-january--february-2024 | https://shop.artleaguehhi.org/module/class/526951/recycled-collage-with-joanna-chalson-january--february-2024 | 1702935185 | 1.4816915857761E+14 | Art League of Hilton Head | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410919090_377086954707033_4468254671835710439_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0k-rSEBD3OgAX-Vzi3A&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBXjV_18E2jM34Kunz0tQ0wYIa4bBU7MGR2WvA_ZuKIcg&oe=65880E87 | person_profile | 0 | Art League of Hilton Head | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410928111_1487767461783423_8187328728031109887_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JXGBSMbxDk8AX99M1d1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfANnMSKwl86UwVlGLyuHnK9C9UMZwSirHr17Q5-yqM6ow&oe=6588ED2B | 0 | 3 | RECYCLED COLLAGE with Joanna Chalson<br /> <br /> WHEN: <br /> Tuesdays (12:30 to 3:30pm)<br /> January 16, 23, 30 & February 6, 2024<br /> <br /> WHERE: <br /> Art League Academy<br /> (106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC)<br /> <br /> PRICE:<br /> $200; $180 for ALHH Members<br /> <br /> Recycle! Turn your junk mail into a beautiful collaged work of art. Our focus for this course will be on creative composition. The design elements; texture, line, form and color will be addressed. Let's create individual art from reassembling our "found materials." Join us and let Joanna show you tips and tricks to do just that!<br /> <br /> SKILL LEVEL:<br /> This class is PERFECT for students of any level.<br /> <br /> REFUND POLICY:<br /> Ticket purchases to Art League of Hilton Head events are final. Refunds or Credits will not be given for missed classes/workshops.<br /> <br /> If a class or workshop is canceled by Art League of Hilton Head a full refund will be given. | Art League of Hilton Head | 3640 | https://facebook.com/ArtLeagueHiltonHead | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56655 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 3:42 PM | 1703105783 | 1723236169 | 65 | 1012929836668439 | 2 | 3.7049479884375E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690731820115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055917 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406037591_1508235186700669_6029666679832363918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aA-DtLhGJp8AX8ynJSm&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwnaAMG5qO0K8i4MDDk_e3oD_S99quUSE3CQlv_QRSLg&oe=6587AA00 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406030042_734984821300760_4027324127174315871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o1d4UF9IdeIAX_4qKZS&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuCF3_VOChkPSMAonnUXUH8wCy4wfxfDjLOHUX_N0_YQ&oe=6588D830 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56068 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 10:13 AM | 1703105776 | 1743520411 | 65 | 317021517910182 | 1 | 3.295096098658E+14 | 1702800000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 109080568825640 | 0 | Family Store A1 | 120202357429700521 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-f1 | 1702284030 | 1.0908056882564E+14 | Family Store A1 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409409067_6915639491883143_8560887964558026860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BxGtsKXQ2JUAX8JIZge&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBkOZ-1gxEw56OKSOGFl-jDQbm0h7oWCILlXrls56Leqg&oe=658871D3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3x3vYztSLD3WmvcvxF2ZvPd3nCp0Q0td21VEuIm3qcd2THRSiRvr-dlDT2uFC9Gc7wkk7PfcOHOCRGHtWvw2vSZELODap5tiif9W92m3u7iUOOht2CXf8BRF8AKHeHqmTC8quka0dchgDg1ycLjINtRpI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Store A1 | 34 | https://facebook.com/100091830608558 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56332 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 12:52 AM | 1703105779 | 1742968372 | 65 | 748213537150290 | 7.6009832261614E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1054880307978117 | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 120201440783500249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/lunabydrakedustin | 1701717856 | 1.0548803079781E+15 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407653547_7152265941484323_764317271748869274_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xNTKhXgpK20AX9L0cz4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCEMpNskyAwlsgiE7Hq_jckujcKQzTlWIYTaGuJm95DbA&oe=65890A33 | person_profile | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407650105_1783414292104109_3115948731860778939_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fWEz2JaPR8oAX-oIVQO&_nc_oc=AQmwf05MPjTR9FMCKQQG7w8i6VrK0opeYcU5IIsdqo88fZ3zxT8WmD51IyAH6m_wfB5ha9-ybl_2yUum9ZkFlbBi&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9Z_U_o4iCYNhygt6b5l3_i30LLZRebwuGCy48jWj5yA&oe=65882681 | 0 | 3 | IN HER ELEMENT. For the most-awaited April 2023 issue of #TatlerPhilippines (@tatlerphilippines), #NadineLustre (@nadine) stunned everyone again with her ethereal appearance that is as beautiful as a scenic view. This time, Nadine was really ‘In Her Element’ as she became vocal about the imperative role of everyone to teach the young about environmentalism’s significance in today’s world. Read an article excerpt from Nadine’s cover issue and heed her call to start saving the planet in our simple ways. <br /> <br /> Photographed by BJ Pascual @bjpascual <br /> Styling by Joanna Garcia @joannagee <br /> Hair by Paul Nebres @paulnebres <br /> Makeup by Jelly Eugenio @jellyeugenio <br /> Nadine wearing @ushisato & @lunabydrakedustin<br /> <br /> Grab a copy now of @tatlerphilippines April 2023 featuring #NadineLustre ✨ | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 272992 | https://facebook.com/LunaByDrakeDustin | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55284 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/16/25, 8:43 AM | 1703105768 | 1737038612 | 65 | 863655101878367 | 1 | 8.7311072746273E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120201880917740183 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | http://fb.me/ | 1701091833 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404622931_1883972981998455_2287391317466186695_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iqbOYn3wMZwAX-nKM4S&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5cAnp_JqJTVuyI61gnsh3xbRBwDrr11mrm-_ZpEfjhQ&oe=6587C9AC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Hey Fort Bend County, here's a list of new build homes here in Fort Bend ISD.<br /> <br /> I've hand-picked a special list of new homes for sale right here in Fort Bend ISD that are priced under $500k.<br /> <br /> You can view the homes at the link below.<br /> <br /> - Joanna <br /> <br /> P.S. If you have any questions about these homes (or other homes for sale here in the Fort Bend County area), feel free to call or text me... my personal cell is (281) 845-4155. | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55889 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 6:37 PM | 1703105774 | 1747006640 | 65 | 268366879218720 | 3 | 3.4194752855997E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1684359575156741 | 0 | Abby Sage | 6501560641889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428999 | 1.6843595751567E+15 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409412872_1205371753772486_2204102804028660730_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tFXlj1-S6UwAX9iyRMv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAEAdoGfo4nVJKii87wF_VRM3JP36kGwi38XHZRma-4rg&oe=6588D857 | person_profile | 0 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409426135_997322361359777_5956610956088542934_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e1QG63YI2nIAX9kzD0M&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD3iighlhFHBusMirQA4c_Z1hQHL0yADpIIqozH0f-A8Q&oe=6587F81C | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0g0Lax9CoPio144bakPbATgvbNG94mKW6zjMJKmEpxg6SPbpR68ZQ8_uqL_pmw5xu9inhDvB97jLJVectzUdxqpvi7fJJIz6427YVTvVb_5yDZdeB1ms6lEyRpNhgzPMf_aoOnFa4Ndm-I-WYI9Me6ZVaoV_PBJlKVoHh2F3Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Abby Sage | 457 | https://facebook.com/AbbySageMusic | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56751 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970751 | 65 | 3741105702780817 | 1 | 3.2085689089052E+14 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632202660115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796878 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403620808_1057876878688978_1823078307119018907_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7mzOhQOUrwcAX_3vV7W&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAXEGxP66lGeB-KjcB0WGqSU6gXnOkHGUYAwSbLquVbHw&oe=6589081C | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625814_1061223721998034_56634128847218437_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RSwu_H3hyYoAX9nMEYw&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBexZInph4nRHePfWuy-aVfuypi5VodaJmU_Q5l7iuA3Q&oe=6587DF12 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55997 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/20/24, 1:24 AM | 1703105775 | 1724135055 | 65 | 1079357146552944 | 1 | 1.7712971433452E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201678387050743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702368355 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409480780_385327160638057_8521406743658303094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h530uBEZ3gEAX9YVBfy&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBgnA1geuodYFYiLNJcHVFTM7DoAOvUQdL5LAljOQEYew&oe=65875D58 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409400204_139640445910386_8854100375174411723_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bpZT151n5dMAX-NVolR&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDRrDznMNfDsZ-7wGj7Z6t1fKG6iJc1Ei4hZtgvrg5eNw&oe=658886C5 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56369 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/28/25, 5:13 PM | 1703105779 | 1740784396 | 65 | 325830763725788 | 1 | 1.0813152062065E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 106942238880821 | 0 | DailyChoices Español | 120202286089500275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667730 | 1.0694223888082E+14 | DailyChoices Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408213844_1485554788892483_2460272047366384018_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GuSoe17lcE0AX9gopx1&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCHVBMoZzPnthhT1w_pCNtVBZSjbiO_GRfuCCegPrmv5Q&oe=6587ED85 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | DailyChoices Español | 646 | https://facebook.com/dailychoices.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56030 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970751 | 65 | 716732366762057 | 1 | 1.0978634080128E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 106914145511790 | 0 | Family Unit | 120202375342240121 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702293713 | 1.0691414551179E+14 | Family Unit | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410305866_3245380988927054_6803268309312407350_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zAD-r7Mcc7UAX_Pomkw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCmx9Cf1yBC3_ewI2Lo1B8dguk3ktzfVq2IN5ERbco0cw&oe=65875EA2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Family Unit | 2075 | https://facebook.com/100086268781719 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56884 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/5/25, 10:12 PM | 1703105785 | 1746501167 | 65 | 330405683060877 | 1.6303717808225E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100377515694960 | 0 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 120200721515760167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679858 | 1.0037751569496E+14 | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404272923_2572055626299902_3305460755590047071_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gy0C0zOkIEAX_gAhLW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfADgfaZhsd5iY99UfHkgjVl1TCIuvfepen7MPx38Fx2nA&oe=6587EB21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Jerusalem Online - Israel exprience | 329 | https://facebook.com/100071723169364 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56561 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/28/25, 5:54 PM | 1703105781 | 1740786899 | 65 | 1353267888917566 | 3 | 3.2064938726789E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109697740494976 | 0 | Word Farm Adventure | 120200905414540413 | play.google.com | Play game | NONE | video | Renovate the farm🚜🌾 | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wordfarm.scapes | 1699945556 | 1.0969774049498E+14 | Word Farm Adventure | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401477561_305144019051944_7934218180320646014_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7676YEEd1okAX9uz2Xh&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD1CmbfrdyYdiVVro_jVdm9XaCmZfKOQsVOk4Lvj1tgAw&oe=658936AE | person_profile | 0 | Mad Brain Games | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401501200_273020822363616_1793185702756614349_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zpS0nznZ69MAX8Ikvew&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBb3n0XHmc-PGVkjUV3QbpptFDNP5qXn4kwCJUSOmd7Xw&oe=6588450A | 0 | 3 | 🌙 Word Farm Adventure: Find Peace in Puzzles - Unwind, Unplug, and Boost Brain Fitness in 10 Minutes! 🧩 | Word Farm Adventure | 17867 | https://facebook.com/wordfarmadventure | 0 | PLAY_GAME | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56157 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 10:37 AM | 1703105777 | 1743521868 | 65 | 744307420902902 | 1 | 3.6441415609946E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 180251658500845 | 0 | Bad Novel | 120201576031230539 | cdn.joylitnovel.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to read the full text | https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/2c317ec0-76d0-4274-8237-3555126e8dfa.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}} | 1702048120 | 1.8025165850084E+14 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409060794_1090924688752125_2263526067914526269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zuzq0-I2o0QAX9CUap5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDvoyXNu9r6Tw44vWdx_dJebja68niOk2Fw2cuBch2cDA&oe=65884B25 | person_profile | 0 | Bad Novel | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408700127_670865525030363_8521751919983966266_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EqCjwNLwIGEAX9PncKi&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAh39pkxSJGfNkS1-AJczjN_Tsuxy4ITnYmpPI5Mvvc2Q&oe=65879419 | 0 | 3 | As the sun dipped below the horizon on a July evening, the sky retained its luminous glow, refusing to succumb to darkness.<br /> By the base of Mount Elvern, before an unnamed tombstone.<br /> Clad in black casual attire, Yvonne Anworth stood before the tombstone. Her delicate features were etched with a chill that resembled the precision of a carefully sculpted statue. "Mom, ten years have passed since that day. I've stuck to your advice and kept myself in check all these years. Tomorrow, I'm going back to the Anworths."<br /> Enveloped in silence, she could only hear the wind whispering through the trees.<br /> "Boom!"<br /> A sudden, jarring sound drew Yvonne's attention, prompting her to subtly turn her head. Her mesmerizing eyes narrowed as she gazed towards the source of the noise, not too far from her.<br /> A black car with a deflated tire sat lopsided on the roadside.<br /> A man dressed in black sportswear emerged from the car. His gait was unsteady, suggesting an injury.<br /> A group of about a dozen people dressed in black attire trailed behind him.<br /> Brandon Hart glanced over his shoulder, his face stern and cold. He clutched his aching stomach, and his lips drained of color. He exuded an aura of pain and suffering.<br /> "Don't even think about running! We paid a fortune for you, and you're not going anywhere." The menacing figure in black said as he closed in on the shivering figure before him. The leader's face was devoid of emotion, his eyes cold and calculating, radiating an aura of pure malice.<br /> "Just you guys?" Brandon's eyes narrowed, his voice like a frosty dagger.<br /> The pain from his stomach shot up to his head. He could feel the blood seeping out, making him doubt if he could hold on much longer.<br /> "Alright, let's get this over with," the leader of the black-clad people said and attacked Brandon.<br /> "Huh?"<br /> Suddenly, a stone came whizzing out of nowhere and struck the black-clad person in the arm. His hand trembled, and he crumpled to the ground.<br /> The black-clad person's expression morphed into a mask of fury, a low rumble emanating from their chest. "Who's there?"<br /> Yvonne spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, "You've interrupted my mom's peace. Take your fight elsewhere!"<br /> A crowd of people gazed intently at Yvonne, their faces grave.<br /> Even Brandon, known for his menacing glare, couldn't mask his astonishment.<br /> Despite their formidable reputations as international assassins, capable of vanquishing multiple foes, the group succumbed to the might of a mere stone hurled by a teenage girl.<br /> That girl was off the charts!<br /> "Back off, or you're toast!" The leader's eyes turned icy as he ordered, "Kill her!"<br /> The rest of the crowd surged forward in an instant.<br /> Yvonne's gaze grew icy, her eyes like shards of ice.<br /> "Watch out!" Brandon had already sprung into action before the black-clad people rushed towards Yvonne.<br /> But Brandon's feet halted abruptly, his dark eyes widening in disbelief.<br /> The assassins were no match for Yvonne. They all fell before her without even having a chance to attack.<br /> And she didn't budge an inch. Her face was undisturbed, and her eyes steady.<br /> If it weren't for her hands that had not yet been withdrawn, Brandon would have thought he was hallucinating.<br /> "Get lost!" Yvonne tilted her chin up slightly, her voice icy.<br /> The men in black stared at her like she was some kind of ghost, their faces etched with confusion and a hint of fear. "Who the hell are you? And what's your deal?"<br /> The cause of their fall remained a mystery to them.<br /> All they recalled was the girl raising her hand and releasing a powdery substance, followed by their sudden descent.<br /> And they didn't even touch a single strand of the girl's hair.<br /> As Yvonne remained silent, the black-clad men collapsed to the ground, unconscious.<br /> Yvonne cast a fleeting glance at their fallen forms before raising her gaze to Brandon, who stood nearby.<br /> Brandon's heart skipped a beat as her clear, moonlit eyes met his.<br /> Regaining his composure, he approached her and spoke softly, "Thank you."<br /> Yvonne gave him a cold stare and curtly declared, "I'm not saving you!"<br /> Her only desire was to avoid being bothered and to have a conversation with her mother.<br /> As Yvonne uttered those words, she turned around and strode away. Her hand reached out to gently caress the tombstone surface. "I gotta go, Mom. May you rest in peace."<br /> As she was about to walk away, Brandon stopped her and asked, "Hey, what's your name? I'd like to return the favor someday."<br /> "I never intended to save you," Yvonne waved her hand and kept walking.<br /> "Wait ... ouch!" Brandon didn't even get to finish his sentence and collapsed on the ground.<br /> Yvonne turned back. Her brow furrowed in confusion before resuming her walk.<br /> Out of nowhere, a gust of wind swirled around her, making Yvonne halt in her steps. She glanced up at the unmarked gravestone and asked, "Do you want me to save him?" But the only answer was the wind's whisper. For a moment, Yvonne stayed silent, her voice laced with a hint of helplessness, "Alright, I'll save him."<br /> Yvonne crouched beside Brandon and gently raised his shirt. She immediately noticed that he had a severe wound on his stomach.<br /> But it wasn't a big problem.<br /> She retrieved a small bottle from her bag and sprinkled some medicinal powder on it. Then, she took out another bottle and fed a pill to Brandon.<br /> Brandon would be astonished to see the rare and valuable healing pill lying before him. It is a highly sought-after item in the black market, with each pill fetching an astounding price of 750,000 dollars. However, due to its scarcity, it is almost impossible to find on the market.<br /> After Brandon took the pill, Yvonne immediately turned and left.<br /> Queenstown, the Anworths mansion.<br /> "She's banned from this house as long as I'm alive!" a booming voice echoed through the mansion.<br /> In the middle of the living room, Yvonne raised her eyes slightly and gazed serenely at the enraged Madam Anworth. Her peach blossom eyes, usually bright and expressive, were now modestly lowered, concealing a depth of composure.<br /> Unnoticed by anyone, a sly grin appeared on her lips.<br /> Having just returned home with her father, Thomas Anworth, Yvonne was immediately summoned to the old mansion by Madam Anworth, who had already heard the news of their arrival.<br /> Madam Anworth's immediate disapproval of Yvonne's return was evident as soon as she stepped into the room.<br /> "Ugh, Mom! Yvonne is my daughter. She's your grandchild."<br /> Thomas stood with his hands clenched at his sides. His jaw was set, and his shoulders tense.<br /> After a decade of searching, he was overjoyed to finally reunite with his daughter. But he was caught off guard when his mother refused to allow Yvonne to return home. In front of the entire family, she even disrespected Yvonne.<br /> "She doesn't deserve a shred of recognition from me! I'll never give her the time of day!" Madam Anworth's hand struck the table with a resounding thud, her glare as sharp as a blade aimed at Yvonne's heart.<br /> Yvonne lifted her head, briefly encountering Madam Anworth's gaze before looking away once more. She remained unfazed by Madam Anworth's scrutiny.<br /> Thomas suddenly raised his head and declared with determination, "Now that I've found Yvonne, I'll never let her go again. Our family is broken beyond repair, so stay out of my personal life!"<br /> "How dare you!" Madam Anworth shot up from her chair, her eyes blazing. "If you even think about bringing her back, I'll kick you out of your current position and take back every share you own!"<br /> Thomas sneered and said, "Position? Shares? Mom, I'm just a lowly manager in the company now, making a basic salary of 600 dollars a month. I'm not the one who wants to quit, it's you! And as for the shares, didn't you already take them all back?'"<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth gritted her teeth as she said, "Are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"<br /> She was stunned to see her typically weak and incompetent son defy her wishes time and again for the sake of Yvonne.<br /> She was certain that Yvonne and her late mother were up to no good, trying to stir up trouble between her and her son.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to say something, Hannah Anworth, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up, "Grandma, do you agree to let Yvonne come back?"<br /> "Hmm!" Grandma's expression softened a bit when she saw Hannah. But she still coldly snorted, "Let Yvonne come back? Forget about it!'"<br /> "But Yvonne is Mr. Hart's fiancée," Hannah blinked her eyes, her lips curled up into a mischievous grin.<br /> Chapter 2 Ending the Engagement<br /> 、The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence.<br /> "What are you talking about? Brandon's fiancée isn't ...," Grandma paused and abruptly stood up. "Oh, wait, I remember now! Yvonne is the one engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, you don't have to marry Brandon anymore."<br /> It was widely acknowledged that Brandon Hart, the seventh son of the Harts, was an indolent person who lacked seriousness and frittered away his time.<br /> Master Hart has a deep affection for Brandon, particularly since Brandon heroically saved him two years ago, resulting in Brandon's disability. Since that incident, Master Hart has showered Brandon with even more love and attention.<br /> And Brandon's lavish spending habits have escalated, as he recklessly disposes of the money generously given to him by his parents and Master Hart.<br /> But for some unexplained reason, a representative from the Anworths recently approached the Harts and informed them that their young lady was engaged to Brandon and that they expected the Harts to honor the engagement.<br /> Isn't Hannah the young lady of the Anworths?<br /> Madam Anworth's anxiety stemmed from her concerns about Hannah's future. Despite the Anworths' lower social standing compared to the Harts, Madam Anworth had nurtured Hannah since she was a child. She believed that Hannah deserved to marry someone more prominent who could elevate the Anworths' position.<br /> Despite Brandon's lavish lifestyle courtesy of his grandfather, he lacked true influence. The wealth he possessed originated from his parents and Master Hart's generosity.<br /> Remember, money could run out. Once he spent it all and there was nothing left, he would be left with nothing but to rely on the generosity of others for basic necessities.<br /> Despite Madam Anworth's objections, the Harts had been committed to their engagement and couldn't simply call it off. So, Madam Anworth sought strategies to terminate the impending union gracefully.<br /> With Yvonne's return, the engagement could proceed as planned. Yvonne's background as a simple country girl made her an appropriate match for Brandon, who had physical limitations. Besides, the Anworths could benefit from a union with the Hart family, achieving two advantages simultaneously.<br /> With this in mind, Madam Anworth wasted no time and said, "Fine, let Yvonne come back. But she's got a month to learn some manners before she gets engaged to Brandon. We don't want any embarrassing moments at the ceremony."<br /> Thomas and Joanna Lloyd were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief as they gazed at the old lady.<br /> They were still struggling to process Hannah's earlier statement.<br /> Soon, Thomas raised his head abruptly, "What engagement ceremony? The one engaged to Brandon isn't ..."<br /> "Yvonne is the young lady of the Anworths. It's her who is engaged to the Harts. Now that she's back, it's only natural to fulfill the engagement."<br /> Joanna's expression darkened upon hearing the news. She turned to Yvonne with a sympathetic gaze.<br /> Her mother-in-law was clearly up to something.<br /> Her willingness to let Yvonne back into their lives hints at her covert motivations.<br /> Everyone knew that Brandon had a disability.<br /> She once opposed Hannah marrying Brandon, but now she supported Yvonne marrying him.<br /> "I disagree!" Thomas's voice boomed with fury, his features contorted in a rage. "It's obvious that Hannah is the one who got engaged to Brandon."<br /> "Dad, I'm not saying I don't want to marry Brandon, but Yvonne is the eldest daughter from the Anworths. If I get married to Brandon and the Harts find out about it, they'll be furious with us for keeping it a secret." Hannah's tone was vague, and she looked down slightly, a sly look crossing her face.<br /> "Right!" Madam Anworth immediately nodded, "The Harts are a powerful family, and we don't want to mess with them."<br /> "You all!" Thomas's face went all red. He was furious.<br /> But Madam Anworth ignored him and turned to Yvonne. "If you wish to return to the Anworths, you must get engaged to Brandon."<br /> Yvonne raised her eyes to meet Madam Anworth's gaze. Her bright and captivating eyes sparkled faintly.<br /> After a moment, with a dainty smile, she took a breath and coolly replied, "Alright. I'm in for the engagement!"<br /> She must come back to the Anworths!<br /> Her lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile as she contemplated her engagement. Her return to the Anworths coincided with an opportune moment to gracefully dissolve her engagement to Brandon.<br /> After leaving the old mansion of the Anworths, Yvonne followed Thomas and Joanna back to their own home.<br /> Eight years ago, Thomas's grandmother forced him to leave the old mansion, and his family has since relocated to Newton Residential Area, a secluded neighborhood far from the city's bustle.<br /> The neighborhood had been quite antiquated, and the walls of the buildings were deteriorating, possibly due to the passage of time.<br /> Thomas's family resided in an apartment with three bedrooms.<br /> Upon greeting Thomas, Yvonne headed towards the bedroom.<br /> She just returned home, and her belongings haven't been unpacked yet.<br /> The moment she stepped into the bedroom, an insistent knock echoed through the room.<br /> She got up and headed towards the door. As she swung it open, she found Thomas and Joanna standing awkwardly, unsure of what to say.<br /> "Do you need something, Mr. Anworth?" Yvonne stepped aside to let Thomas come in.<br /> "Yeah, I do, actually." Thomas pursed his lips, unsure how to start.<br /> "What's the matter? Just tell me." Yvonne gestured for Thomas to sit down while she herself stood.<br /> "I want to cancel the wedding on your behalf."<br /> Yvonne's eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide with surprise.<br /> Joanna approached her, gently grasped her hand, and took a seat on the bed. Then, she said softly, "Listen. Your father believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and Brandon has a disability. If you marry him, you'll be responsible for his care for the rest of your life. He wants you to find someone with a good heart, someone who will truly love and protect you forever."<br /> Joanna paused for a moment and continued, "But this marriage was arranged by your mother after all. So, we still need to hear your thoughts on it."<br /> Although she had never been in contact with Yvonne, she felt sorry for her.<br /> Brandon was not the right match for her.<br /> So what if the Harts were wealthy and powerful?<br /> If Yvonne makes that decision, the consequences will be devastating and irreversible. It would be a mistake with a lasting negative impact on her life.<br /> Yvonne looked at Joanna, a hint of a smile appearing on her cold cheeks. "Well, I was planning on cancelling him."<br /> Joanna was Thomas's second wife and also her stepmother.<br /> After the brief interaction she had with her, Yvonne didn't feel repulsed.<br /> She could also tell that Thomas and Joanna were genuinely considering her.<br /> "That's good!" Thomas stood up excitedly. "I'm calling the Harts right now to cancel that wedding!"<br /> Mount Elvern.<br /> In the depths of the mountain forest, three figures stood solemnly before a nameless grave.<br /> The man on the left, dressed in trendy clothes and sporting an earring, turned to the slender man beside him. "Mr. Hart, it's been two days, and that girl still hasn't come. I don't think she'll come. Let's go."<br /> "Just wait a little longer." The man in the middle narrowed his eyes and looked at the nameless grave before him. A layer of light shimmered under his dark eyes.<br /> He was dressed in casual black clothes, and his messy hair covered half of his eyelids. His exquisite, handsome face carried a hint of coldness and arrogance. He was the seventh son of the Harts, the useless son who was saved by Yvonne.<br /> Brandon Hart!<br /> The person who spoke first was Yorky Smith, the third son of the Smiths in Norbury.<br /> "Don't wait any longer. If you keep waiting, you'll miss the engagement with Miss Anworth from the Anworths." Yorky touched his earlobe and chuckled, "Miss Anworth is a talented woman from Queenstown. Besides, you've been engaged to her since childhood. Your grandfather has repeatedly emphasized that the engagement ceremony must not go wrong."<br /> A faint curve appeared at the ice-cold corner of Brandon's lips. "Has the engagement with the Anworths been canceled?"<br /> "Even if you were cripple and the biggest loser on Earth, would the Anworths dare to break off their engagement with the Harts, the most powerful family in Norbury? And let's be honest, you're not exactly a loser anyway!"<br /> It was hard to imagine the Anworths calling off the marriage if they knew Brandon was neither disabled nor useless!<br /> "Oh." Brandon's eyes dimmed.<br /> They did not cancel the engagement!<br /> It was not fun anymore!<br /> Sensing futility in his words, Yorky sealed his lips on the matter.<br /> He decided not to mention this topic anymore. "Since finding your savior seems impossible, let's move on. We can still save Helena once we find my senior."<br /> Brandon cast him a sidelong glance, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. "Your senior? Are you sure she exists?"<br /> Yorky was left speechless and couldn't come up with a response.<br /> After a while, he exclaimed in frustration, "Of course she exists! My senior is totally drop-dead gorgeous and has a heart of gold. And don't even get me started on her skills as a doctor. She's like a walking miracle! She can practically raise the dead and mend broken bones ..."<br /> Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the person standing on Brandon's right side. "Mr. Smith, you don't even know her name, what she looks like. And yet, you're making her out to be some kind of mythical creature. Is this 'senior' of yours even real? Instead of wasting time looking for her, it would be better to wait for the Black Alliance to contact the mysterious divine doctor."<br /> Raise the dead and mend broken bones?<br /> Even the esteemed professors at the Medical Research Institute wouldn't even dare claim such skills.<br /> Yorky exclaimed excitedly, "You're talking nonsense! You think I'm making things up, huh? My senior is real! But that mysterious divine doctor is like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will. Only treat patients on a whim. We've searched for ages with no success. Who even knows if that doctor accepts patients anymore?"<br /> "I suspect he's completely incompetent! His medical skills are not even as good as my senior!"<br /> This person was ignorant!<br /> How could an ordinary person like him understand his senior?<br /> Although his senior never mentioned his name and knowing she had changed after a decade, he was certain he would recognize his senior the moment he laid eyes on her.<br /> "Fine, fine, I'll take your word for it." Franco Kelmer had it up to here arguing with Yorky. Mainly because he was kinda creepily obsessed with his senior.<br /> Brandon gave them both a quick look, then looked away and bowed to the nameless tombstone as he said, "Alright, let's go!"<br /> "Mr. Hart, where are we going?" Franco asked.<br /> Brandon's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Queenstown. I'll convince my fiancée to break off our engagement!"<br /> Chapter 3 Are You Trying to Lecture Me?<br /> On the other side.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> Just as Thomas was about to contact the Harts and call off the engagement, an unexpected visitor interrupted him with a ring of the doorbell.<br /> Thomas and Joanna rose to see who was at the door.<br /> Yvonne rose and joined the others outside. Guests had arrived, and her duty was to extend a warm welcome, as courtesy demanded.<br /> Upon reaching the door, she discovered it was Hannah standing before it.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were both taken aback, and even Yvonne couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.<br /> Hannah was already there, knocking on the door just moments after she had left the old mansion.<br /> "Hi, Mom and Dad! I came to visit and also wanted to see Yvonne. I even brought her some clothes," Hannah said, a sweet smile revealed as she stood in her light-colored dress with her hair tied back on both sides.<br /> She radiated an air of quiet grace and elegance.<br /> Joanna glanced at the bag in Hannah's hand, and her expression changed.<br /> Madam Anworth bought these clothes for Hannah, but many of them were only worn once and then forgotten.<br /> This Hannah ....<br /> "That's thoughtful of you," Joanna remarked, taking the bag from Hannah's hand and placing it on the cupboard.<br /> "Why are you here all of a sudden?" Thomas asked, his face darkening with suspicion as he noticed the bag in Hannah's hand.<br /> Hannah's eyes welled up. She looked at Thomas with a mixture of hurt and understanding as she said, "Dad, I know you just reunited with Yvonne and want to focus on her. You probably don't want to see me right now, but ... Grandma insisted I come and teach her some of the rules of our family."<br /> Thomas's eyebrows furrowed tightly, his gaze at Hannah carried some impatience.<br /> Here we go again!<br /> For years, whenever she visited them, tears would stream down her face as though she had endured some terrible injustice.<br /> Could it have been that after receiving the favor of Madam Anworth, she looked down on her foster parents?<br /> Who would have wanted to see it like that then?<br /> Thomas's anger flared inexplicably. "What kind of rules are you teaching?" he thundered. "Yvonne knows perfectly well how to behave. She doesn't need your instruction! She's not marrying the emperor and becoming a concubine, so why all the fuss over rules?"<br /> "Hahaha!" Yvonne found Thomas's words unexpectedly funny and couldn't help but burst into laughter.<br /> It was clear Mr. Anworth had a humorous side.<br /> Hannah blushed beet red, looking down and nervously biting her lip. "Dad," she mumbled, "That's not what I meant at all. I just ..."<br /> "Fine. Go tell your grandmother that I'll cancel the engagement with the Harts. Since she looks down on Yvonne, she shouldn't care about her manners." Thomas cut her off, his voice laced with irritation.<br /> "What did you just say? You want to cancel the engagement!" Hannah couldn't pretend anymore. She gripped her skirt tightly, and the hatred in her eyes was about to erupt.<br /> What a hypocrite!<br /> Ridiculous!<br /> The treatment was indeed different for his own children.<br /> Initially, the Harts thought she was the one who was engaged to Brandon. And when they forced her to marry him, she secretly expressed her reluctance to marry Brandon. But what did Thomas say about it?<br /> He said he wouldn't be in charge of this household, and whether to do the engagement or not would be decided by Madam Anworth.<br /> But what about now?<br /> Just after Yvonne returned, Thomas was impatient to end this engagement. Why wasn't he saying that he's not in charge of this household anymore?<br /> "Exactly! Yvonne is just nineteen, and I just managed to bring her back. It's impossible for her to get married," Thomas said with a serious expression, "Go and tell your grandmother to stop thinking about Yvonne."<br /> He was well aware of what was going on in his mother's mind.<br /> While he used to be agreeable on all matters, there's no room for discussion when it came to Yvonne.<br /> He would confront anyone who dared to have bad intentions towards Yvonne without hesitation.<br /> "But ..." Hannah nervously bit her lip, expressing some reluctance, "Yvonne has agreed to marry Mr. Hart. If she backs out, the Harts will hold us responsible. Offending the Harts would mean trouble for us."<br /> Hannah looked at Yvonne and said softly, "Yvonne, you don't want the Anworths to face problems, right? This is what Grandpa worked tirelessly for all his life. If something goes wrong because of you ..."<br /> She intentionally stopped speaking midway through her sentence.<br /> In response, Yvonne's captivating eyes lifted slightly, and her red lips formed a subtle smile. "Indeed, I have no desire to get married. Why don't you consider marrying him?"<br /> Hannah's body tensed for a moment, and her face briefly struggled to maintain composure.<br /> Who would willingly marry the disabled Brandon?<br /> She was a talented woman in Queenstown, achieving considerable success in various fields. Now, she was the top student in Fort Hill of Queenstown. With a promising future ahead, it was disheartening to think it could be jeopardized by association with that disabled person.<br /> What did Yvonne imply?<br /> Was she intentionally trying to upset her?<br /> "Yvonne, your joke is far from amusing," remarked Hannah with a forced smile, appearing quite unappealing.<br /> Yvonne blinked and looked at her with a tilted head. "I'm not joking!"<br /> Hannah was furious.<br /> She almost couldn't resist slapping Yvonne!<br /> Exploited every opening to benefit yourself, even when offered the benefit freely?<br /> Hannah's tone abruptly escalated as she emphasized, "You're the eldest daughter of the Anworths!" The malice in her eyes grew even more profound.<br /> "Oh, really?" Yvonne responded with a calm expression. "So you, a spoiled child, are trying to lecture me on handling things?"<br /> "You!" Hannah's hands clenched tightly at her sides. Shortly after, she took a deep breath and chuckled lightly, saying, "Yvonne, you've misunderstood. How could I dare to lecture you? It's Grandma who mentioned that the engagement with the Harts is a significant matter. Besides, after the engagement, the Harts will invest a substantial amount in our company. So, we absolutely cannot break off the engagement."<br /> Without waiting for Yvonne to respond, Hannah stood up and said, "Dad, I'll be heading to the company soon, so I won't stay long. When Grandma came, she wanted me to tell you that she disagreed with Yvonne canceling the engagement with Mr. Hart. If you insist on doing so, she'll take back this house."<br /> Madam Anworth certainly never said such things. Hannah took it upon herself to say these things.<br /> But she had the ability to influence Madam Anworth's attitude before Thomas approached her.<br /> Thomas's facial expression changed, and as he was about to respond, Hannah had already left.<br /> Chapter 4 Looked It Up<br /> Following Hannah's departure, Thomas expressed his frustration by forcefully placing the cup on the table, exclaiming, "This is absolutely outrageous!"<br /> Joanna poured him a glass of water and consoled him, saying, "Come on, don't be upset. This child's heart has long been elsewhere. Getting angry won't change anything."<br /> Hannah was a child they had adopted eight years ago.<br /> During that time, Thomas's sole focus was on searching for Yvonne. After an extensive but unsuccessful search, he coincidentally came across Hannah.<br /> Her facial features share a certain similarity with Yvonne. Feeling a longing for Yvonne and pity for Hannah, Thomas decided to adopt her.<br /> Hannah was obedient and sensible. She had a sweet mouth, and knew how to make people happy.<br /> She had Madam Anworth wrapped around her finger.<br /> After two years of adoption, Madam Anworth took personal responsibility for raising Hannah. In a short span, she transformed into a highly admired and accomplished woman in Queenstown, causing many people to envy her.<br /> But ever since Hannah started following Madam Anworth, she looked down on them. Although it didn't show on the surface, the words she uttered always hit people in the heart.<br /> Thomas and Joanna were not naive. Over time, they grasped Hannah's intentions. Consequently, their interactions with Hannah naturally dwindled.<br /> "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have adopted her!" Thomas lamented, beating his chest and regretting his decision.<br /> "You had good intentions back then," Joanna glanced at Yvonne and said, "Now the problem is how to cancel the engagement! According to Mom's stance, she's set on marrying Yvonne off, and if we don't agree, she might not accept it gracefully."<br /> "I've made up my mind to end this engagement. Even if Mom takes back the house, I refuse to believe that, as an adult, I can't provide for a wife and child."<br /> Joanna sighed.<br /> It seemed likely that in this Queenstown, Madam Anworth wouldn't offer them a place to stay.<br /> With her head bowed, Yvonne focused on the information displayed on her mobile phone.<br /> The page showcased details about Brandon.<br /> As a prominent figure in the Harts, Brandon's profile was indeed quite impressive.<br /> It had everything except for photos.<br /> Even the phone number was included on his profile.<br /> "Mr. Anworth, there's no need to feel troubled. I can initiate the divorce myself," Yvonne said, raising her head with a graceful smile on her soft face. "Don't worry about having a place to stay. I'll buy a house for you."<br /> Considering Mr. Anworth and his wife's good treatment towards her, acquiring this house could be seen as an act of filial piety.<br /> "Yvonne ..."<br /> Thomas wanted to say something, but Yvonne stood up and dialed a number on her phone.<br /> "Hello? Is it Mr. Hart, right? I'm Miss Anworth." Yvonne got straight to the point once the call was answered.<br /> Brandon's fingers paused on the other side of the phone, and his eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked, "What's the matter?"<br /> "I want to cancel the engagement." Yvonne's voice was clear and sharp.<br /> Brandon was taken aback for a moment. After a slight pause, his thin lips curved up as he responded. "Okay!"<br /> Yvonne stared at her phone, which had already been hung up, and was stunned for a moment.<br /> So, he was on board with this?<br /> A high-end club in Queenstown.<br /> Brandon lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed. He held his phone with slender fingers, staring at the call logs that had been cut off, and a faint smile played on his cool lips.<br /> "Is it really Miss Anworth from the Anworths?" Yorky held a glass of wine and expressed a hint of disbelief.<br /> "She said so," Brandon said with a low and enchanting voice, with a slightly cheerful tone.<br /> "Tsk!" Yorky expressed a mild exclamation and remarked, "Well, well! Miss Anworth does have quite a distinctive personality. I'm starting to view her in a different light."<br /> Although Brandon had a bad reputation, his family was financially stable.<br /> Though many girls desired to be his wife, the head of the Harts had already picked Miss Anworth as his future granddaughter-in-law.<br /> He thought the Anworths wouldn't break off the engagement.<br /> So, he investigated and found that the Anworths' business had declined in recent years, facing severe financial difficulties. The engagement with the Harts not only secured a marital alliance but also brought in a substantial investment, a stipulation set by the Harts patriarch.<br /> So, under any circumstances, Madam Anworth would never agree to cancel the engagement.<br /> It was surprising that Miss Anworth personally took the initiative to cancel the engagement.<br /> She truly embodied the reputation of being a highly talented woman in Queenstown, displaying a level of integrity that many other girls could not match.<br /> Brandon was in a good mood. His elongated eyes were almost closed into a thin line as he swiftly played his phone with his fingers.<br /> Yorky leaned in for a glance, expressing astonishment as he said, "Mr. Hart, why did you save the recording of the conversation with Miss Anworth?"<br /> Brandon casually lifted his gaze, continuing to play with his phone. "It's such a good thing. Why wouldn't I let my grandfather know and bring some joy to him?"<br /> "Will your grandfather get a heart attack when he finds out?" Yorky remarked. He couldn't imagine the scene after the old man knew about this.<br /> "He won't suffer from a heart attack. But maybe we would cry, make a fuss, or attempt suicide." These were the usual tactics used by her grandfather.<br /> In order to make him marry Miss Anworth, every possible method was used, causing him considerable distress.<br /> Now that Miss Anworth has chosen to cancel the engagement voluntarily, his grandfather should be able to settle down a bit.<br /> Taking a sip of his drink, Yorky turned to Brandon with a puzzled expression and inquired, "By the way, why don't you want to marry Miss Anworth? Hannah Anworth is not only attractive and academically outstanding but also reputed to have achieved success in various fields. Given her academic performance, she's almost guaranteed to secure a spot at a prestigious university. A wife of such caliber is truly a rare find."<br /> In the chilly atmosphere, Brandon set aside his phone and raised his wine glass, giving it a slight shake. "She's so outstanding, and I'm disabled. I shouldn't stand in her way."<br /> Yorky's shifted his attention to Brandon's faultless, elongated legs and silently looked away.<br /> Newton Residential Area.<br /> As soon as Yvonne stepped into the bedroom, the phone started ringing. After checking the caller ID, she tensed up and walked to the window before answering the call.<br /> "I found the information," a low male voice came through the phone. "On the day your mother passed away, representatives from four influential families in Norbury showed up at your home."<br /> Yvonne's expression turned serious. "Four influential families?"<br /> "That's right!" the person on the other end continued, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, the Yeagers, and ... the Harts."<br /> Yvonne was surprised. "The Harts? Brandon's family?"<br /> "Yes," the person on the other end paused, "In Norbury, there are four prominent families. The Harts, the Smiths, the Anworths, and the Wagners. The Harts hold the foremost position among these four, being a truly elite aristocratic family. Among the families that have members visiting your home, except for the Harts, the other three are considered to be of moderate size."<br /> The person remained silent for a moment before stating, "The Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers. These three families visited your home in search of something. I couldn't find out the specific details, but the person sent by the Harts to your home was Brandon ..."<br /> Yvonne's frigid gaze lifted, and her attractive brows furrowed tightly. "Brandon? What's his purpose?"<br /> "Seems like he's looking for someone."<br /> Yvonne refrained from commenting. She leaned against the bed's edge, and her fair, slender fingers tapped the windowsill slowly. After a considerable pause, she spoke at a measured pace, "Continue the investigation. Find out what the Sullivans, the Sawyers, and the Yeagers are looking for! You don't need to worry about the Harts. I'll handle it myself."<br /> "Understood."<br /> Chapter 5 You Have No Manners at All!<br /> After hanging up the phone, Yvonne opened the window, gazing at the vivid blue sky outside with a composed expression.<br /> "Mom! Who exactly did you offend?"<br /> When Yvonne left the Anworths at the age of nine, the lasting memories etched in her mind portrayed her mother enduring mistreatment from Madam Anworth, and her mother always enduring it silently.<br /> During that period, she couldn't comprehend why her intelligent and efficient mother, despite being capable, endured bullying without putting up a fight.<br /> Once they left the Anworths, they found themselves being pursued by multiple groups. It was only when her mother demonstrated her enigmatic martial prowess and the art of acupoint sealing with silver needles that she realized her mother wasn't incapable of fighting back. Rather, she was actively avoiding the pursuit of others.<br /> Until one day, her mother received a phone call. At that moment, Yvonne noticed an unusual expression on her mother's face. But being young and having already experienced numerous escapes, she assumed that someone else was after them again.<br /> But that night, her mother took her own life!<br /> She met her demise at the hands of the poison she had personally developed!<br /> Prior to her passing, her mother had instructed her to seek out Master Reid at Haven Abbey, become his apprentice, undergo martial arts training, and remain on the mountain for a decade, tempering her skills for ten years.<br /> Her mother specifically ordered that, upon her death, she be cremated without any memorial erected.<br /> A decade later, she returned to the Anworths to find her father and fulfill her engagement with Brandon.<br /> She faithfully carried out all these instructions, with the sole exception of marrying Brandon.<br /> Over the previous ten years, she had lived under the constant weight of her mother's death every day. She had been determined to seek vengeance and wouldn't have allowed a marriage to obstruct her path.<br /> But then ....<br /> Brandon became entangled in the past events.<br /> With the marriage already canceled, any further investigation into the events of that year required a different approach.<br /> Suddenly, Yvonne's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a tumultuous knocking at the door.<br /> Upon opening the door, she witnessed Madam Anworth storming in accompanied by a group of people from the Anworths.<br /> The group consisted of Madam Anworth's eldest and youngest sons' families, along with Hannah.<br /> The small living room was now crowded with about a dozen people, each displaying visible anger. This resentment intensified, especially upon spotting Yvonne come out, as if they were eager to vent their frustration by tearing her apart.<br /> "Yvonne! You are a troublemaker! Who gave you permission to cancel the engagement with the Harts? What a bitch! Do you still have any respect for me?"<br /> As soon as Madam Anworth saw Yvonne, her elderly and cloudy eyes seemed to express intense anger or frustration.<br /> It was beyond her expectations that Yvonne would independently decide to cancel the engagement.<br /> She wouldn't be aware of it if Master Hart hadn't called.<br /> Fortunately, Master Hart approved of that marriage and didn't raise any objections. He emphasized that despite Brandon's physical disability, half of his future wealth would be allocated to him. If Hannah married Brandon, she wouldn't face any hardships, and she could contribute to supporting the Anworths' business in the future.<br /> Since Yvonne had recently returned, the Anworths had not disclosed her identity publicly. So, Master Hart was unaware that it was Yvonne who intended to marry Brandon, not Hannah.<br /> But Madam Anworth wasn't concerned about these details. In any case, Master Hart had requested the engagement with the granddaughter of the Anworths. So, as long as Yvonne married Brandon, the Anworth would still have received everything they were entitled to.<br /> But this troublemaker Yvonne unexpectedly canceled the engagement!<br /> Yvonne narrowed her eyes, emitting a hint of coldness. She stared at Madam Anworth without saying a word for a long time.<br /> "I'm the reason Yvonne canceled the engagement," Thomas protected Yvonne behind him and said seriously, "If something's bugging you, just address them directly to me."<br /> "Slap!" Madam Anworth slapped him in anger. "How dare you be so ungrateful! Don't you know what this marriage means to the Anworths?"<br /> Initially, she was reluctant to have Hannah marry Brandon. But she didn't formally break off the engagement. Her intention was to find a solution that would secure the Harts' investment while ensuring Hannah's well-being.<br /> But, with the involvement of Yvonne, jeopardizing the relationship with the Harts meant losing any financial benefit.<br /> "What does it mean?" Thomas sarcastically smiled and said, "Isn't it just to maintain your reputation? You look down on Yvonne, so you're willing to sacrifice her?"<br /> "Thomas!" Thomas's eldest brother, Troy Anworth, frowned and said, "How can you speak about Mom that way? She's doing it for the good of the Anworths. Besides, the Harts has assured us that Yvonne will be treated well when she marries into their household."<br /> "He's right, Thomas. Even though Brandon has a physical disability, his family is quite affluent. Look at Yvonne. She grew up in the countryside without receiving much education. She might not have even finished high school at the age of nineteen. She's unable to attend college. Her only option is to work ..."<br /> Ted Anworth, the second eldest brother, said, "Given her qualifications, she can only find jobs like a waitress. In terms of future partners, she can only choose someone ordinary. What's wrong with marrying Brandon? At least, she won't have to worry about her basic needs."<br /> "That's enough!" Thomas exclaimed, "Yvonne is my daughter, and I have the authority to decide whom she marries. No matter how good Brandon is, Yvonne won't be marrying him."<br /> "You!" Troy's face flushed with indignation. "This is utterly illogical!"<br /> Madam Anworth directed her anger towards Thomas, asserting, "You have no authority in this family. Since Yvonne is a granddaughter of the Anworths, she should play her part in supporting the family. We don't tolerate idleness in the Anworths!"<br /> "Hmm!" Yvonne scoffed, her eyes reflecting a touch of scorn.<br /> Madam Anworth abruptly turned her gaze towards her, her eyes sharp as if she had been unexpectedly poisoned. "Why are you laughing?"<br /> Yvonne raised her head, her clear and captivating eyes fixed on Madam Anworth. "I'm laughing at your selective memory! It appears that I haven't received any financial support from you since birth, never been nurtured by you, so where does my contribution come into play?"<br /> Even though she was young at the time, she distinctly recalled that her grandmother never even bought her a piece of candy.<br /> "You!" Madam Anworth was infuriated, her gaze towards Yvonne carrying a trace of bitterness.<br /> This little troublemaker was sharp-tongued!<br /> "Yvonne!" Troy expressed his anger, "How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? She is your elder! Is this how your mother raised you?"<br /> With a nonchalant look, Yvonne's red lips curled slightly, and hands in pockets. She responded, "Sorry, my mom is dead. Why don't you go ask her in the underworld how she taught me?"<br /> Troy's face flushed with anger. "You have no manners at all!"<br /> The rest of the Anworth was infuriated by Yvonne's indifferent demeanor.<br /> But everyone remained silent because Madam Anworth was present.<br /> Despite the unspoken words, the intense glares directed at Yvonne seemed almost predatory. But Yvonne remained unfazed, lifting her chin indifferently.<br /> Madam Anworth observed Yvonne for a prolonged moment. She took deep breaths to quell her anger and softened her tone as she remarked, "Your mother arranged this marriage. She wouldn't harm you. Master Hart expressed his hope that you would still honor the engagement with Brandon."<br /> Yvonne looked at her with a faint smile but did not respond.<br /> Madam Anworth's expression tightened as she spoke sternly, "Yvonne! Let me remind you! The place you currently occupy is my provision. If you refuse to marry Brandon, I will reclaim this house. Besides, your father will be ousted from the company under my authority. As long as I am present, he will be unable to secure employment in Queenstown. Without financial means, he won't be able to sustain your family!"<br /> Before Yvonne could say anything, Thomas stepped forward and earnestly declared, "If you want to take the house, go ahead. I am capable of taking care of my wife and child with my own hands and feet. I refuse to let Yvonne be pushed into a difficult situation!"<br /> Madam Anworth was so angry that she wanted to slap him, but she held it back. She gritted her teeth and looked at Thomas. "Fine! You have courage. I'm curious to see how resilient you can be!"<br /> In a cold tone, Madam Anworth added, "You have one hour to move out. Do it immediately!" | Bad Novel | 17 | https://facebook.com/61554129711665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56898 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 5:43 AM | 1703105785 | 1723718624 | 65 | 311758101810259 | 5 | 6.8579776031172E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779358230250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678748 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404275079_681458767299748_350875266989297425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0G9UJq-pK7UAX_K9mSU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC19CVfXsKOr-HGzbRgwQfJHZEGSrjS0Ehgzqa0UwuN4g&oe=6588E8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56957 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 4:46 AM | 1703105786 | 1723715178 | 65 | 1014925722894560 | 5 | 8.6183418227823E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779111620250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678187 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619723_1061366564892535_5544603005193099836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CJsQ5x3dQlgAX-Cj6-s&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFGLg5Fs5QVJreGAr9s6iJbE7UJ4i4BxRHlwZLy2MoYQ&oe=658876C4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55390 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/1/25, 6:22 AM | 1703105769 | 1740810121 | 65 | 593413279589014 | 1 | 2.8225320451753E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 111266936889272 | 0 | Every Day Monkey | 120205147664970779 | travelermaster.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://travelermaster.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702952534 | 1.1126693688927E+14 | Every Day Monkey | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410238959_1802661853502530_4611574970798266909_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SH4-_Hlr81MAX8ENbnZ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCD8EBAXBr86B6MBK7ARJ5G7dJSl2c07chM_FGpStF57Q&oe=658876F7 | person_profile | 0 | Every Day Monkey | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411671361_1057698062167305_5156906516156032601_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HCeCkQ59YwMAX-kMk2z&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAluQrvQ44gKKBpjKaHJsL5EfWKBHolbDh1keWxoRS1Xw&oe=65883A63 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Every Day Monkey | 9422 | https://facebook.com/100048827716366 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56487 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 5:05 AM | 1703105781 | 1723716356 | 65 | 376578474724996 | 2 | 6.6188194936214E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734790226 | play.google.com | Use app | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256539 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404763001_735863031779815_3651833085392326176_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=olhLtH9-M6QAX-kT9Bi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6cqydjJTQblO35iISGUcB1e-vv5QU_DxrkITAn_76ZQ&oe=6588A3A2 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405713679_3739556653000385_3029514349507632844_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=I_F2AAHwdUgAX-pbG0L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLzCWyIaDDsXnYBTVWDqh_4GNPjUHuMzUvKEYYeeVNSA&oe=6587C7C2 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56033 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 10:42 AM | 1703105776 | 1723822961 | 65 | 892562475805167 | 1 | 8.4013604456932E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109878645535734 | 0 | Three Homes | 120202238157680028 | homeknowledge.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.homeknowledge.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702293313 | 1.0987864553573E+14 | Three Homes | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923062_1106882380671620_4158653657214130894_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IVAxV06tJ64AX9rlDo6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBioryUELE-5PHAL9wGTBGLML2bmFuzK2QKyRHbcOPo5Q&oe=6588C665 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Three Homes | 480 | https://facebook.com/100095610426922 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55942 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 5:09 AM | 1703105775 | 1723716587 | 65 | 234501776330589 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207707746010456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390811 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409844625_372212295341580_5659403916891611792_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FzlDlFXkz6YAX8Qe_sn&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAkeKob7biKeZ1U_IV6eQxAdXVVZdSJ7lqEuUQ9X0Jw1g&oe=6587F018 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409659393_1562638721141534_334568012343499748_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=duQ7xYUtljcAX9tmfv3&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDk_tXr33mEhm9opFGgl_w5Jv-5bFqd3C8NVIhbcQOFYA&oe=65886796 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55553 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/14/25, 4:20 PM | 1703105771 | 1741987223 | 65 | 231558683219543 | 1 | 3.4709631031621E+15 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859211149290562 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | 🟠Jak zadziała Uwolniona Do Miłości dla Ciebie? | Dla kobiet, które miłości kiedykolwiek bolała. Zupełna Nowość "U-WOLNIONA DO MIŁOŚCI"Bo dobra miłość zaczyna się w Twoich wewnętrznych emocjach.Uwolnij się raz na zawsze od uwięzionych emocji tęsknoty, goryczy, bólu, żalu, rozczarowania, natrętnych ... | https://joannagrabska.pl/ | 1694332617 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/376021730_682090310156122_229353354574402066_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jlQvKKuONcYAX9fEwxW&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDFyIuplb0EZNqiwGY6zzSY3lDfJMqAwDh2w_7VvCbd9g&oe=65880995 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🟠 Co oddziela Cię i blokuje dostęp do dobrej miłości? <br /> Bo dobra miłość zaczyna się....<br /> <br /> w Twoich wewnętrznych emocjach.<br /> <br /> Ale o co dokładnie chodzi?<br /> O Twoje uwięzione emocje.<br /> Te w relacjach.<br /> <br /> Codziennie to słyszę, codziennie widzę w Waszych komentarzach. <br /> <br /> • TĘSKNOTA<br /> • NAWRACAJĄCE MYŚLI O NIM CAŁY CZAS<br /> • ZŁOŚĆ<br /> • DEZORIENTACJA<br /> • BEZRADNOŚĆ<br /> • BÓL<br /> • GORYCZ<br /> <br /> Nazwij to co sama czujesz.<br /> <br /> W trakcie relacji.<br /> po zakończeniu. <br /> Cały czas.<br /> <br /> 🟠<br /> <br /> A wiesz co jest "gorszego” w tym odczuwaniu niż same bolesne emocje?<br /> <br /> # To, że blokują Ci dostęp do bycia kochaną, szanowaną, atrakcyjną przez dłuższy czas. <br /> <br /> # To, że cała Twoja uwaga i energia idzie na zajmowanie się tym wszystkim.<br /> <br /> # To, że słabniesz i nikniesz w oczach.<br /> <br /> # A im bardziej jesteś utopiona w tych emocjach, tym trudniej Ci się uzdrowić.<br /> <br /> Bo już przywykłaś do tego stanu.<br /> <br /> Bo znasz to , przez co "paradoksalnie twoja podświadomość czuje się bezpiecznie". <br /> <br /> Bo nie widzisz wyjścia z tej sytuacji.<br /> <br /> Bo nie wiesz, czego dokładnie chcesz w zamian.<br /> <br /> Bo przez to zatopienie w trudnych emocjach nie czujesz swojej kobiecej mocy, piękna, miłości w sobie. <br /> <br /> 🟠<br /> <br /> Ale to nie musi trwać wiecznie. <br /> Tylko, to co jest do zrobienia po twojej stronie to <br /> DECYZJA że chcesz już inaczej. <br /> <br /> Jeśli: <br /> 1. Jesteś po rozstaniu, ale ból, tęsknota, natrętne myśli o nim są Twoim udziałem.<br /> 2. Jesteś w tej relacji, czujesz, że powinnaś to zakończyć, ale nie robisz tego.<br /> 3. Jesteś w cyklu rozstanie-powroty-rozstanie.<br /> 4. Niby jesteście osobno, ale co jakiś czas spotykacie się, ale dalej nic się nie dzieje.<br /> 5. Jesteś zaangażowana, a on nie określa się, co dalej. Unika tematu.<br /> 6. Czujesz, że dajesz z siebie więcej w tej relacji.<br /> 7. To, co czujesz przez większość czasu?<br /> Ból, tęsknotę, gorycz, złość, bezsilność, odrzucenie, lęk?<br /> <br /> Formuła <br /> <br /> 5 U - UJRZYSZ, USZANUJ, UWOLNIJ, UKIERUNKUJ, UGRUNTUJ, <br /> czyli uwolnij uwięzione emocje do miłości, której jesteś warta. <br /> <br /> SPRAWDŹ <br /> Tutaj:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoannagrabska.pl%2F&h=AT2KlCTx1Ki9nCUPmZqbBSksjRj9ZuIoTcFtIVWnGUXGxE85iOlRSvbMaTsczBN7iBywPnnSw-c6lUEqrW93n3DLVWxNIiftTIHf3cXi-JqeoRhdTcXSUrsHnNjb-59WEns-0scLKpoBdXxxSQJcmQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://joannagrabska.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694329200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56485 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 5:33 AM | 1703105781 | 1723717994 | 65 | 1282479105683253 | 2 | 7.7045505484155E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681737280226 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256555 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406067885_648069793912434_5713489279590612239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k5GFOw3cTkgAX9XoNZn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfARFx2D_mztp8pPNYfYKZCKEDqmShi-FTPMyYwjU0PunA&oe=65876774 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406095695_869906881462902_6208796879961297606_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ExfbRpHa7AAX_mzDgM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQNRV6l5DwNKhvOA14mJrpn4lGKAeijT-IgagAa59wwg&oe=6587FCB9 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55481 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/17/25, 9:17 AM | 1703105770 | 1750169849 | 65 | 1549291352496601 | 1 | 1.0291905416868E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 157384851487469 | 0 | Joanna Rengel | 120203291805980024 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/joannarengel_corp | 1702825646 | 1.5738485148747E+14 | Joanna Rengel | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411024236_861374675723674_1458460050278938334_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gf9P217iXQEAX9hEQNC&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBNcYi77K5g7b0NWP3n7Thl6jf_ef5N8hBvFmXSsVYJWQ&oe=6588538C | person_profile | 0 | Coach Creativa & Espiritual | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410661300_840006447812632_424646929416406244_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nXlxfQ9teBoAX_YKe_u&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDMg4hy_Z-ctneqXEwrqJ0-HUR7C69u11Puqy-qjial0g&oe=658757C2 | 0 | 3 | Desde pequeños no nos enseñaron lo que es el amor propio, pero nunca es tarde para aprender a amarte incondicionalmente y a darte ese amor que nadie más puede darte, solo tú mismo. <br /> <br /> No nos enseñaron la importancia del amor y cómo nos beneficia para creer en nosotros y poder crear nuestro negocio soñado.<br /> <br /> Yo te enseño a reconocer tu valor, a darte cuenta de la capacidad que tienes y el ser humano hermoso que eres y sobre todo a despertar la creatividad dentro de ti. <br /> <br /> Escribe en los comentarios la palabra AMOR ❤️ para ayudarte a trabajar en tu amor propio y desde ahí iniciar tu negocio. 😍😍😍<br /> <br /> #creatividad #vidacreativa #transformación #crearparasanar #arteterapia #comunidaddeartistas #crear #arte #bloqueocreativo ##arteterapia #emociones #terapiasexpresivas #amorpropio #cursos #paisajes #arteterapiaengrupo #arteterapiaintuitiva #arteterapiaparatodos #love #nature #fotos #art #arte #psicologia #creatividad #negociosoñado | Joanna Rengel | 1142 | https://facebook.com/joannarengel | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56007 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/31/24, 8:15 AM | 1703105775 | 1735632905 | 65 | 790731332819301 | 1 | 1.2982933042046E+15 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 111784661016963 | 0 | Chastity Thomas | 6492265251634 | Buy now | NONE | image | FREE SHIPPING magic school bus in the time of the dinosaurs book | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/339763008691754/ | 1702320961 | 1.1178466101696E+14 | Chastity Thomas | regular_page | 1 | Chastity Thomas | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409630789_1898716143906597_8275164227782593747_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AhGD6G3hrUsAX8CJboF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxWRwcRF1u7--z-WgqUKsDm-Ipd3BScGbYQVe6GSMdUQ&oe=6588773A | 1 | 3 | FREE SHIPPING magic school bus in the time of the dinosaurs book - $2.00<br /> <br /> Facebook Marketplace | Chastity Thomas | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=1233094086 | 0 | BUY_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55522 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/20/24, 3:42 AM | 1703105770 | 1724143330 | 65 | 2323832181146523 | 1 | 1.3033038870001E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202766046110465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702463 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409821644_960687098756950_3085587444892929959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9ZayfCozJH4AX9Td9ur&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_75wbeNE8-qnOaYpj33kAtD4D8YdOKjw-OU2umqRQHQ&oe=65893926 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411193892_187601884430671_6667802152093134815_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jZGQpQT-6gAAX9l6kbq&_nc_oc=AQmBWwzn7kkB4Mz4zQ7kEdnnk9l3wrMBUZ9o_lLbjGkB9QxxI1FMSBckr8VJTaDgIoFQKyZoJkoBOv-y3JjepQwh&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAT49Tf1TfSyUIKlaVSLOssa2euQnNDeQdKTbhAlcG0ag&oe=6588184F | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55650 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/20/24, 3:51 AM | 1703105772 | 1724143868 | 65 | 1532951697545213 | 1 | 2.1130119190524E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204044760780514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702610181 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409811186_1048699549607584_4635428745479019863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DcyyKjkObcUAX8_56zs&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAdARLlx5IMNaYn-OYmg8Vs199rL6SBeqT7JJWS9cuoUg&oe=658914E5 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409810836_3605000073110473_1374460887523773744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oboHvSw7f3EAX9FLbyW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBJ9eW0PD5fk9O8IsU6fZxTMSt-MbX8z4pkVE4MmgR7Vg&oe=6587B5D9 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56377 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 11:16 PM | 1703105780 | 1743221808 | 65 | 269712752392223 | 7.1898332648333E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202285435340275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666879 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407940430_255913694162906_6265611789054065351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yE8QwC4WTVAAX-cAjTm&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05JDam8sDu-GjPpfbnULBHoELXnahjmlGVRhjoI0eg&oe=6588BF81 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55279 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/17/24, 9:16 PM | 1703105768 | 1734491790 | 65 | 2094464704236462 | 1 | 1.081192023196E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534232231096 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1703015763 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412039464_1862954394159764_8383913715500678841_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bb4DP-hSnHEAX_bzlH7&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXhOIEUKXJfS4wVmBXz6ppGIxSU3pu-Uic0YaIR7scLg&oe=658792F8 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412019450_1097860961245016_2469183687981614531_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7b-JB8QP8icAX8jgmfH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHs_0IMFaoSVETMqk7ke611AxSY_BdaedIdMS7BIoMnw&oe=6587D9DD | 0 | 3 | Then there was 3 🤍🤍🤍#newbornphotography #newbornphotography #newborlifestyle | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55528 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/17/24, 10:52 PM | 1703105770 | 1734497566 | 65 | 321216564064487 | 1 | 6.7774989453636E+14 | 1702800000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 118760431268839 | 0 | lookporcelaingirl | 120203487810400681 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/lookporcelaingirl | 1702679267 | 1.1876043126884E+14 | lookporcelaingirl | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/358377870_1425775771603663_8927361842888995981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=rchcw-7S-MgAX8_1Gmo&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfASOvB22Q-jr1phYemK--QxEvYuQrE4ehDTuEnnSzd-jw&oe=65879D0A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | em. | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410729874_363996439615154_385036238478938987_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3PZwETVjU1YAX87so3c&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDssZ1h8M79V8sQYYukZOXdNjg8NV-1XUtVm-w5LvGGyg&oe=65884B3B | 0 | 3 | żeby listkom było wietrznie<br /> i żeby sercu <br /> bezpiecznie.<br /> <br /> w z i e l e n i z:<br /> @jolawachelfotografie <br /> @joanna8grzywacz <br /> @monikaturekfashion <br /> <br /> fascynator:<br /> @marta_ruta_hats <br /> <br /> #sesjafashion #fashion #fashionsession #photosession #model #modelka #sesjaproduktowa #sesjamodowa #fashionphotography #fashionstyle #retro #retrostyle #fashionmodel #polskamarka #martarutahats #oplotka #streetphotography #naturalphotography #nature #streestyle #streetphotos #fotografiaartystyczna #art #artphoto #retrofashion #photoart | lookporcelaingirl | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/lookporcelaingirl | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56731 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/28/24, 9:08 AM | 1703105783 | 1735398505 | 65 | 359786343304568 | 1 | 8.8474007637601E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632192620115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796936 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405759428_304732045856402_1439801075976731253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=je2b1WvOgK4AX8-7Gm9&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAyRzJRRoVMko1FleV1olMlFVvnCeYsjGLRlM1tJCkA9Q&oe=65888DBE | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405092236_364856099253940_3742352005342216588_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sGuqDPkEG44AX-auDyH&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPOLzWQhhCG2bj91ZlZUU1wpY7nbXEeqfYOpWDEyldZg&oe=658759AD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56388 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 2:25 AM | 1703105780 | 1747639527 | 65 | 386507083800539 | 10 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202285186800275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666725 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407691485_867269074900206_8740083272207340909_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vzdejh0Yc8YAX82J7Ua&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfr9TFt9xjTUFDlWzqB8Hrsh7JzpKi3NwLh9Fl6ZOMPQ&oe=65892A70 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56344 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 4:26 PM | 1703105779 | 1723238801 | 65 | 391836226616567 | 1 | 1.0852818158082E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200991567860540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701759672 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407705522_3144413802534614_3450979323979243117_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EqVzk9YM5SkAX-ZvVs2&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAh-p8lLzmwEl3ShJdlMLlDSNz7RqvNcnVSIjtusbTICg&oe=6588D52A | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407916955_324936080398253_5819904655326347231_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wSq2d5d6q30AX8Syean&_nc_oc=AQlArNlyGGmhvGtZGZ-RDPG-7i2ykiw8AZs0PQxkgIBdQv-eCNmwJCv5HL1oonYalCQ1YLOqIqQW_ma8H-rTd2ty&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCB5__3NxD6gE1zVr19EEFnTqjJwy1zL1aXKZMYjinx_A&oe=6588ECB6 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55393 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/18/24, 4:12 AM | 1703105769 | 1734516764 | 65 | 7704854629530578 | 1 | 3.27295970229E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104078388769004 | 0 | Steve Burzynski | 120202108972440461 | Contact us | NONE | image | NEW Natural Wood Accent Chair w/Matching Ottoman - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia (SAVE $$$) | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1022328582406727/ | 1702954848 | 1.04078388769E+14 | Steve Burzynski | regular_page | 1 | Steve Burzynski | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410032665_1513465872528478_2801562588376510228_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5sqjrz68n0AAX9Ne6Vl&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCAnySFWym9-3Dj4xvtqupeAccHAxrZudo59zsEjKJVMQ&oe=6588D76C | 1 | 3 | NEW Natural Wood Accent Chair w/Matching Ottoman - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia (SAVE $$$) - $225.00<br /> <br /> Just in time to enjoy with family and friends for the holidays!!!<br /> <br /> New In Box / Assembly Included / Pick up Locally (Fishers) / Buy with Confidence from a Trusted & Highly Rated Marketplace Seller (that's me! :)<br /> <br /> Compare at $400 + tax at Target.<br /> <br /> Why not SAVE $200 and pick up locally???<br /> <br /> * Cushioned armchair updates your space with appealing, understated style<br /> <br /> * Fabric upholstery in a neutral shade mixes easily with your decor<br /> <br /> * With a sturdy wood frame in a light, natural hue<br /> <br /> * Each is unique due to the natural variability in wood appearance and coloring<br /> <br /> * Supports up to 275lbs<br /> <br /> The Upholstered Natural Wood Accent Chair from Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia makes it easy to give your home a dose of fresh style. Featuring an oversize seat cushion and backrest set on a low-rise wooden frame with a light finish, the understated style and clean lines of this accent chair update your space with modern appeal. Fabric upholstery gives the chair a comfortable surface while blending easily with your existing decor, while the generously stuffed seat and back cushion make the chair extra inviting. Style as is for a tidy minimalist look, or add a textured or printed pillow for an appealing touch of contrast.<br /> <br /> Celebrate the everyday with Hearth & Hand — created exclusively for Target in collaboration with Magnolia, a home and lifestyle brand by Chip & Joanna Gaines. Built upon our shared commitment to giving back to our communities, these pieces reveal the beauty of everyday moments shared with family and friends.<br /> <br /> Overal height :31.1 inches<br /> Overall depth :27.5 inches<br /> Overal width :28.7 inches<br /> Seat depth :18.5 inches<br /> Seat width :23.6 inches<br /> Seat height :18.5 inches<br /> Arm height :24.09 inches<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Steve Burzynski | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100072919407480 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56948 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 9:34 PM | 1703105786 | 1747622043 | 65 | 871636157704272 | 5 | 1.3699666969605E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201778998720250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677962 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404501919_1399764947592984_5324204061772205548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXFCrrITZpIAX9wOu__&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC5sbsjx1Q3XY5NIIcNf2-mGO187hn1gRuypyrl7Cp8xw&oe=65876157 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56613 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/18/24, 5:16 AM | 1703105782 | 1734520607 | 65 | 1802218130224442 | 1 | 7.1318749434991E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 298516343584252 | 0 | Monica Murphy | 120202351767760268 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🏈 Sports Romance FREE in Kindle Unlimited | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZJZ6RQF?maas=maas_adg_0A7B092DF53F5E26CD7A3224C938B9B5_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas | 1701106083 | 2.9851634358425E+14 | Monica Murphy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404740309_370220718994535_314668967200546204_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ro6NjUKf4aUAX-0RPde&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCtanksabo0L8U2-kBl5Qob1FNpmvAlQHiOrHnpQcukJQ&oe=6588574A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Joanna, recovering from heartbreak, is adamant about avoiding athletes. Knox, fighting the 'dumb jock' stereotype, needs her help more than she knows. Can they challenge their own prejudices to find something real? | Monica Murphy | 50003 | https://facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55759 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/16/25, 12:27 AM | 1703105773 | 1744781273 | 65 | 6912572542183623 | 1.3989916943323E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548092809 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494402 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410643705_1067376817791678_2501185669499273666_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OWCh4VxutwAAX8ImwEq&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCjFUPk13N2gzXddaIrD2JmISQhPCLqhVo2hkZNoEUVAA&oe=6587D809 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410632430_320133100917416_4871677580517810748_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r4KUrGJ_dUsAX8Qq7aE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBlR0gdjxgb57fXxQu2Gn5kmxVgRZnLIKP2LXgvIHnNQg&oe=65892F05 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55324 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/17/25, 5:38 PM | 1703105768 | 1737157133 | 65 | 757970316171573 | 1 | 1.7093794277796E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475733680743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976755 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410716204_779959013960678_6568444793268383921_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KJe1sldv-9IAX-GH7bk&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBqjL5p6DT0sBnc3guRNvLFPtpggYI2_QY6AQEsaukzYg&oe=6588EF3D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410913374_863356738914480_2919260043024641189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3VO1JAjF_OQAX_8Uyf_&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB_EVT-FILcMczJHlYtQbE79pWOmbsIjIQmyD3OQTFg7Q&oe=658840B9 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56621 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/18/24, 9:48 AM | 1703105782 | 1734536921 | 65 | 318655177693172 | 1 | 2.4153194208498E+14 | 1701244800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103862972598152 | 0 | zendalacraft | 120201947023010005 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/zendalacraft | 1701082821 | 1.0386297259815E+14 | zendalacraft | https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/327749956_742099477207961_1623403982017122936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=J6STZ9aipkEAX9O3QwX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfB-K5uZcPzkq3fIgeJs24Vly8299Yoq4JRI1D-zwI9gzQ&oe=6588C97D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Medina | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405795587_365167379360340_5790976161788479250_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=irGgT7TZcEUAX-zAr1P&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfChgYu9jZ2h7PCaFrwjUn-ObGVMGU-nNVgzOA7mdK4x9Q&oe=65885C81 | 0 | 3 | TEMA: BRUSH LETTERING NIVEL BÁSICO. EN NAVIDAD 🪅🎄🧑🏻🎄🎅🏻<br /> <br /> Aprenderás desde cero el arte de crear letras!!! <br /> <br /> * MODALIDAD PRESENCIAL :<br /> <br /> 📆 Fecha: Sábado 02 de Diciembre 2023<br /> 📌 Edad: Cualquier edad, A partir de 8 años en adelante !!!<br /> ⏱️ Hora: 9:00 am a 1:00 pm <br /> 💵 Forma de Pago: Zelle, transferencia, pago móvil, PayPal <br /> <br /> 📍LUGAR: Zona Norte, cerca del Sambil, Taller de Arte Zendala Craft, Maracaibo, Venezuela.<br /> Modalidad: PRESENCIAL <br /> ———<br /> Incluye Kit de Materiales:<br /> - Guía Física para prácticas.<br /> - Set de marcadores punta pincel.<br /> - Portaminas, Borrador <br /> - Material para prácticas.<br /> - Refrigerio <br /> <br /> Dictado por: <br /> Dra. Joanna Medina <br /> Arquitecto.<br /> <br /> Contenido del Taller: <br /> 1. Clase Introductoria<br /> 2. Ejercicios de Trazos Básicos, con prácticas guiadas en tiempo real <br /> 3.Alfabeto Sans Serif en letras minúsculas.<br /> 3. Prácticas de abecedario en tiempo real, con variaciones de estilos de letras. <br /> 4.Anatomía de las letras, diseño y de frases o ideas, paso a paso.<br /> 5. Práctica final motivo Navidad <br /> <br /> ————<br /> Para Mayor Información <br /> Cel. 0414-6157656 | zendalacraft | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/zendalacraft | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55877 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/13/24, 12:31 PM | 1703105774 | 1731522684 | 65 | 6896282143798065 | 1 | 9.1559335352648E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434527060465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447844 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410026727_1289504195070375_7315979488389460537_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=da1m5kP9yZQAX-p2eIK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASRomIO-DHjchvRwZixPnJBZhfasBCqhtj9nTCpds8Ig&oe=65890A63 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410170396_310136128241482_6633774063823640752_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EeQZHBId2_EAX-nzEEi&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBpqfvGj7C98vxu9Ad9ySGTwscwzGjMfx5nanz25pYQtg&oe=65881154 | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55937 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 6:46 PM | 1703105775 | 1747007195 | 65 | 1081561066311473 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207708735290456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702391557 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409205159_201064553059364_79910351516858280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=20i9jDJwH0EAX-qfvSZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCSSMgg9IeilkpdRi3asxwHXPOuJDtWb-tvEK6bHVc2rQ&oe=6588DDEE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56323 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 9:30 PM | 1703105779 | 1723257059 | 65 | 24397202503259359 | 1 | 1.3955615877223E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201103321510540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701850908 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407367522_1347174002572036_871535947778314765_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dUBkwTHTaEUAX-LtEXa&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA1Q_crvvYbW8n16pCYTeqdmdLZlt7bfMn--gH3Zne0TQ&oe=65888C11 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407474733_879862496873504_979436122956556577_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7f5kbLex1TsAX8GDsUi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2Ajp9nyhf8p5zw9hnzNuxnlmo4fIrHmfA9fxYjI10Kw&oe=6588EEA8 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56654 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 9:33 PM | 1703105783 | 1723257223 | 65 | 991273681938350 | 2 | 6.8210268406386E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690791530115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701056007 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405982721_1697217037455126_4542521380882972097_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cOlAaCKTG1EAX8KaCnO&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA1GnN__9uu8YlGXuiUln6s5gyDL7-5sUoPigW0LO9JLA&oe=658805BB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405965712_1737810283353258_5992199844015476277_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qIojbr_oF8AAX9J_wBQ&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAtTswnMSeXwNnwAGUnoYXh07yAgGr_XBAkuugBNegEsQ&oe=658918A0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55828 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/16/25, 7:33 AM | 1703105773 | 1744806796 | 65 | 737446881612247 | 1 | 6.9780177789725E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107853624821686 | 0 | Falls County, TX | 120207790129180456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Falls County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702458394 | 1.0785362482169E+14 | Falls County, TX | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409729217_1064659568053473_7711084767493836650_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9wZ9hlgGqccAX8-L0nE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_3MLLKyc3wxRC8h35enwUNAW6ISXFLhGvYdA3EIvJ9A&oe=6587BABD | person_profile | 0 | Falls County, TX | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409602752_1679176459240602_3504104982150065660_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UVGfCuzrAyoAX_zzzCq&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD7zrx_jvBVxX6uZqbm19IDlZxHe4lEvM8rtmaRr6AB8A&oe=65886093 | 0 | 3 | Falls County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Falls County, TX | 40 | https://facebook.com/100068159003156 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56269 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/9/24, 9:49 PM | 1703105778 | 1723258150 | 65 | 1022264695556840 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997237770476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940576 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406732263_221796717614885_5721015133504964210_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hd1y5Gf7HscAX-gAVjQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB5ietNDWpPAgrAyFZtgPcwmtYGUsx4ayUhQo3Uc1-19A&oe=6588C828 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406734681_998557134582131_6514958677197608860_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T9qwwjXHukQAX-cqHK2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDQDMeW310IAVI5L38mhf4FSidIIZVGJJ3dV3o8bx9hqg&oe=6587923C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55856 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/27/24, 1:30 AM | 1703105774 | 1724740248 | 65 | 662428556050597 | 1 | 1.0573440553142E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434498650465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447711 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410360540_2479641845576215_6956821414906263863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UI8f84C3F2MAX9X5LRk&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBcHTVTAA6bWYsCmQOXNZG0CgN6No-4YDpUieDFEo5wtw&oe=6588FDFD | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410395039_350614130916838_7595151222508042111_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y_UsjqJVvDEAX-RCvmT&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBkv5mK62AeZQCmD8BO_W6CjZHW-Hef_rsuBO4tD1PH0Q&oe=6588ED78 | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55360 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/20/24, 8:31 PM | 1703105769 | 1726882266 | 65 | 892354692129428 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55601 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 8:03 AM | 1703105771 | 1746536601 | 65 | 875655860696346 | 1 | 1.0701208974516E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203674163170308 | www.novel-oasis.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to read on📜Alpha King's Lost Luna📜 | https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/dab0gmldzs5zcetuzgnbdyhx?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702630879 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410804373_920831359452914_1934353366134921429_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p5hhbZ0GXaoAX-q-Ux_&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDkJoGpNymK4tGA-J5INn94U-S9UciYl9Qn3VI2-eEynQ&oe=6587F7FA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410972885_886386522806678_8349100725694132911_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VbL0QJ9DFFwAX_DddHm&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDE8bOjmSnAz7SYb-WkNkBR2EoSKyq3IhGJwzAOb7-zng&oe=6588B514 | 0 | 3 | 💘😫"Mommy, is the King my daddy? He has the same gray eyes as me!" My son asked excitedly.<br /> "No, honey" I took a deep breath. "Your daddy is dead."<br /> I know I shouldn't lie. But I can't tell him that his father, the Alpha King had abandoned us 5 years ago.<br /> ----------------------------------------------------------<br /> CASSANDRA<br /> “For the glory of Wegalla Empire, you must die!” Intruders snarled at me as I knelt on the floor.<br /> “Please let me see Asher. Please…” I begged.<br /> “How dare you speak the name of our king!” The soldiers growled and grabbed my hair, forcing me to raise my head. They were like shadows towering over me.<br /> “Please. I need to talk to him. I’m pregnant. I have his baby!” I cried.<br /> The head soldier snorted. “Baby? You think you’d be qualified to deliver a baby for our king? He won’t come to you anymore. Don’t you understand? He’s with Lady Adalyn. Now drink it!”<br /> “No!”<br /> He pulled me harshly, gripped my face and pried my mouth open. Mysterious liquid flew down my throat.<br /> Burning. I began to gag.<br /> “Die! You wretched moron.” They spat at me before slamming the door. And I heard the click of the lock.<br /> I struggled to move, but my eyes felt swollen, and my legs were strengthless. The smell of smoke quickly filled the room.<br /> Fire engulfed me.<br /> --<br /> Five Years Later<br /> My mind wandered as I stared out the window. The sky was a perfect clear blue, and the air was filled with the sound of children’s laughter. A smile formed on my lips at the sound.<br /> Far beyond me, the pups, accompanied by their parents, made their way toward the forest not too far away from where I sat. It was finally time for the annual hunting festival, and the pups chattered and giggled with excitement as they tugged at their mother’s and father’s sleeves.<br /> I remembered their innocent happiness well. When I had been a pup myself, I’d been infinitely impatient and raced far ahead of my father and brother, urging them the entire way to move faster. I’d been so excited to get a glimpse of the hunting group I wished to one day be a part of. I was eager to find my place amongst the Pack.<br /> I’d been grown for a long time now, and yet, these pups had more freedom than me.<br /> Ever since the deadly inferno, I’d lost the ability to shift into my wolf form, my life had changed completely.<br /> I lost everything. My wolf, my name, my identity, and all I used to love and cherish. I’d moved far away and came to the Wild Crawler Pack, where I’d lived as someone else ever since.<br /> Just as I was starting to feel the familiar ache of loneliness, the sound of footsteps rang out behind me. I snapped out of my stupor and turned to see Marley behind me.<br /> “Sheesh, Cassandra, I almost fell asleep at my desk.”<br /> Marley paused for a breath. She ran her hands through her thick dark hair. Her light green eyes were slightly bloodshot, but her small smile offset her tired aura. “It’s been such a crazy day. I couldn’t help but doze off between patients.”<br /> “I understand completely,” I agreed with her. “Here, come sit down. We still have a while until our next appointment.”<br /> Marley was my assistant here at the clinic. Fiver years ago, when Emmett saved me from the fire and brought me to his pack, he taught me how to be a healer. And Marley had been my first patient. Shortly after I helped heal her, she decided she wanted to help others as well, and now she was my right-hand woman.<br /> Marley took a seat on the stool beside me and then glanced out the window.<br /> “I can’t believe it’s already time for the hunting festival,” she sighed, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “The kids have been going crazy for days. I swear, they’ve been driving me absolutely insane, Cass.”<br /> “I’m sure,” I mused. “The village has been loud all week.”<br /> “I wish I cared more,” Marley admitted. “But the festival really doesn’t interest me much. Visitors from other packs are troublesome. Can you imagine? I was stopped by them three times this morning for the question – ‘How to get to the forest?’. Gosh. Can’t they read signposts? They are everywhere on the streets. And with how crazy my kiddos have been…”<br /> She let out a heavy sigh, “I wish they could be more like your Finnick. He’s such a good boy. Mine are little monsters, no matter what I do. You’re lucky Finnick hasn’t begged you to come with him-”<br /> She paused for a moment, and a strange expression crossed her pretty face.<br /> “Sorry, Cassandra,” she said quietly. “I didn’t mean to bring that up-”<br /> Marley knew I was unable to shift, and therefore, I was not allowed to enter the forest, even the safe zone.<br /> I simply gave her an understanding smile. “Don’t even worry about it. Besides, Finnick is too young to watch anyway. If he was of age, I’m sure circumstances would be different.”<br /> It had been five years past since that calamity. I need to go on.<br /> “So where is your sweet boy?” Marley wondered with a curious expression.<br /> “He’s with the Luna and her children,” I replied.<br /> I was grateful that the Luna of the Wild Crawler Pack had been so generous as to offer to watch my son while I ran the clinic. The hours were incredibly long, and my patient list had grown endless recently. Marley and I were busier than ever.<br /> A sickness was running through the Wild Crawler Pack, one with an unsure origin I had yet to place. It was accompanied by a peculiar mark on different parts of the patient’s bodies, each slightly raised, red, and warm to the touch. I’d biopsied several of them, and yet, I hadn’t found an answer that made any sort of sense.<br /> “That’s a good place for him,” Marley interrupted my thoughts again, and then beyond us, bells rang out. She glanced up at the clock. “Looks like it’s time for our next patient. Ready to go?”<br /> I nodded. “Let’s go.”<br /> Half an hour later, my patient thanked me and walked out of the clinic. Suddenly, a man burst into the room.<br /> It was Jasper, one of the Alpha’s guards. I knew him very well, as he was often sent to collect me on behalf of the Alpha’s family if medical attention was needed.<br /> “The Alpha needs you right away, Cassandra,” he addressed me hurriedly. “You must accompany me to the Pack House. It’s an emergency.”<br /> “What’s wrong?” I asked, and worry painted my tone.<br /> “There isn’t much time to explain,” Jasper replied. “Long story short, a prestigious guest of ours has been bitten by a viper and needs medical attention immediately.”<br /> Panic flooded through me. Snake bites weren’t anything to mess with, and we needed to act fast.<br /> I hurriedly gathered my supplies, Marley and I followed Jasper to raced out toward the Pack House.<br /> “Who is this prestigious guest?” I asked.<br /> “I cannot say,” Jasper said curtly. “It’s confidential.”<br /> “Where did they come from?” I pressed.<br /> He said nothing at first, and then sighed. “Anemond.”<br /> I flinched instinctively.<br /> Anemond was the capital of the Wegalla Empire. It resided at the heart of the Crescent Pack, the biggest and most powerful Pack that ruled our empire. It was also where the Alpha King lived, along with the higher-class werewolf families.<br /> I hadn’t heard the name Anemond in the five years. The memories began to flood back through my mind before I could stop them. Images danced in my mind- the fire, the grins of the soldiers, and the poison that’d been forced down my throat.<br /> Anemond was the place of my birth, and in the end, had been my nightmare.<br /> “Cassandra?” Marley mudged me back into reality. Her pretty eyes were wide with concern. “Are you okay?”<br /> I gulped, and then nodded as I pushed away my memories of Anemond. “Yes.”<br /> I managed to pull myself together. I needed to be level-headed if we were going to heal this patient.<br /> It didn’t take us long to reach the Pack House. The enormous mansion wasn’t far from the clinic.<br /> When we crossed through the doors, we were surprised to see a crowd of people hustling around. The Pack House seemed to be in a huge commotion, and I had to duck to avoid bumping into anyone around me. This was the most activity I’d seen here in a while.<br /> “Wow,” Marley remarked as Jasper led us down the hall. “This must be serious. Everyone seems so upset.” <br /> When we reached the end of the busy hall, Gareth, the Alpha of the Wild Crawler Pack was writing for us.<br /> We bowed respectfully when we stopped in front of him.<br /> “Cassandra,” Gareth greeted me in a relieved tone, and then he looked at Marley. “And Marley. I’m so glad to see you.”<br /> Then he turned to the young male servant standing politely in the corner. “Please escort the doctor and her assistant to the second floor,” he ordered in a stern voice. “I must be going.”<br /> Surprise flooded through me. The second floor of the Pack House was usually reserved for the Alpha’s family and their servants. It was considered private quarters while the first floor was used for meetings and dinners.<br /> Marley and I exchanged a glance. There was a bad feeling forming in the back of my mind, but I did my best to brush it away.<br /> “Follow me,” the servant addressed us, and after Marley and I offered polite nods toward Gareth, we followed him down the hall and up the stairs.<br /> At the top of the stairs was a pair of double doors, and on either side of them stood four guards. Much to my continued surprise, they weren’t a part of the Wild Crawler, but the Crescent.<br /> The guards stared at us coldly as we approached the door, but they stood aside and allowed us to enter the chamber anyway.<br /> The moment the doors flew open, a chorus of sounds flew toward us. A tingle of anxiety moved through me, but I managed to remain calm.<br /> The cavernous room was pure chaos. The curtains were closed, and the only light in the room came from candles and the fireplace that blazed with a crackling fire.<br /> Servants rushed around hastily, a few with piles of towels, and others with trays of various foods, drinks, and other supplies. They all seemed to hover around a specific part of the room, and when a few moved out of the way, I noticed a large, canopied bed.<br /> At the center of the bed was a young boy, around the same age as my Finnick. Servants attended to the boy, and even from across the room, I could see his lips were blue. Perspiration ran down his face and his eyes were squeezed tightly shut. He was clearly in pain, and his expression broke my heart.<br /> When we got closer, I noticed the Luna of the Wild Crawler Pack, Sofia Bailey, stood beside the bed. She was just as beautiful as ever, but her short dark hair was a little out of place, and her skin was paler than usual.<br /> When she heard our footsteps, she turned her attention to me and I noticed her eyes were underscored by light purple shadows.<br /> “Oh, Cassandra,” she sighed in relief. “Thank goodness you’re here.”<br /> The Luna’s beautiful face looked tired, but she managed to smile at me anyway.<br /> “The boys are downstairs with a maid,” she answered before I could ask. “They’re safe and playing quietly.”<br /> I nodded. “Good. I’m glad they’re okay. Now, how’s our patient?”<br /> “Not as good, I’m afraid,” Sofia lamented, and then she stood aside so Marley and I could approach.<br /> I crouched down beside the boy, and when I placed my hand gently on his forehead, I was surprised to find he was hot to the touch. He’d already broken out in a fever.<br /> My eyes traveled down until they reached his right leg. His trousers had been rolled up, and the skin of his ankles was ghostly white, except for a huge swollen area. Clear canine marks were dug deep into the tenser skin, and a low sigh escaped me.<br /> “Poor thing,” I whispered.<br /> I turned to Sofia. “Did they happen to catch the viper that inflicted the bite?”<br /> The Luna appeared unsure, and her eyes flicked over to a point beyond me.<br /> “No,” a deep, smoky voice said behind me. “The guards are still searching the forest for the wretched thing.”<br /> A tingle ran down my spine. I’d know that voice anywhere.<br /> For a moment, I froze in place, but after a deep breath, I turned around.<br /> A man stood in the darkened corner, tucked away just far enough that I hadn’t been able to sense him initially. He lingered in the shadows for a moment and then stepped toward me.<br /> My heart skipped a beat when his rugged but handsome face was revealed. Though he’d changed a little with time, his cold gray eyes were the same, and they bore into mine with intensity as he advanced closer.<br /> The tall man was none other than Asher Collins- the Alpha of the Crescent Pack and the king of the Wegalla Empire. But none of that mattered to me. He was much more than just the legendary leader of all werewolves.<br /> He was my mate.<br /> All those years ago, he’d left me in that house, pregnant and alone to face the inferno.<br /> “Well, then you’ll have to tell them to hurry up and find the beast,” Marley remarked beside me, and she rolled her pretty eyes in annoyance. “The sooner the better.”<br /> The room suddenly grew heavy and my eyes widened.<br /> While part of me agreed with her sentiment, I couldn’t believe she’d been so bold as to say that to the Alpha King. Of course, I wasn’t fully convinced that my friend knew that’s who she’d been addressing. If she had, I doubt she’d have spoken so tersely.<br /> “Marley!” Sofia exclaimed. The Luna looked shocked and embarrassed at my assistant’s outburst, and her cheeks flushed scarlet.<br /> Asher’s eyes narrowed, and the room fell silent.<br /> “Your Majesty, please excuse her,” Sofia begged, and she offered the Alpha King an apologetic expression and a small bow. “We-”<br /> Asher raised his hand, and the Luna immediately froze in place and shut her mouth.<br /> “Wait, ‘Your Majesty’?” Marley gasped. <br /> Her expression was awestruck. Clearly, she’d realized who had been addressing us, and her cheeks darkened until they were the same color as Sofia’s.<br /> “Shh,” I whispered as quietly as possible. Luckily, neither Sofia nor the Alpha King seemed to hear us.<br /> Instead, Asher released a huffy sigh.<br /> “Are these two qualified, Sofia?” he asked, and his gray eyes bore into mine intensely. “My son deserves the utmost care, and I will not allow him to be treated by anyone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.”<br /> His… son?<br /> Had I heard him correctly?<br /> That explained the severity and amount of guards around us, not to mention Gareth and Sofia’s worried expressions. The boy was the son of the Alpha King, and heir to the Wegalla Empire. His survival was not only of the utmost importance, but it was in mine and Marley’s hands.<br /> No pressure or anything.<br /> “Yes, Your Majesty,” Sofia answered him. “Cassy is the best healer in our Pack. If anyone can take care of him, it’s her.”<br /> The Alpha King’s eyes continued to study me carefully.<br /> “Cassy?” he repeated back in a confused voice.<br /> My heart thrummed in my chest as if it was ready to burst forth as I stared back at Asher. It’d been five years since I’d seen his handsome face, and my entire body felt like it would explode from the sheer emotion of it all. I never thought I’d see him again, yet here he was, standing before me with the same gray eyes I’d peered into with all my love so many years ago.<br /> The whole world seemed to melt away as I stared back at him. While the years and likely stress of his position had aged him slightly, he was just as handsome as he was back then. His dark hair fell to his shoulders in soft waves and his skin was perfectly tan and clear. He was muscular yet lean, and with his arms folded in front of him, I could see the prominent veins that came with much physical training.<br /> Even after all of these years, Asher Collins was still the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.<br /> But he was no longer mine, and I was no longer his.<br /> “Your name is Cassy?” he addressed me directly. He leaned in closer as if to examine me, and it took all of my effort to keep from shaking. For a moment, I thought he’d find a clue of my past identity, but I knew in my heart that I looked too different now to recognize.<br /> The inferno had destroyed my face, distorted my voice, and taken my wolf away. No part of my past identity had remained.<br /> Asher could stare all he want.<br /> I was no longer the same woman I once was.<br /> “Cassandra,” I replied politely. “My name is Cassandra Keller, Your Majesty.”<br /> The Alpha King paused for a moment.<br /> “You’re the best?” he asked, and when I didn’t answer, he clarified. “Healer, that is?”<br /> For a moment, I considered being humble, but his stern expression told me I needed to be confident in my abilities.<br /> “Yes,” I said. “Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve been taking care of this Pack for many years. I’m well-versed in injuries, illnesses, and bites such as the one your son has sustained. My assistant, Marley, is also well-qualified. We’re going to do everything we can to help.”<br /> “Okay, Cassandra,” he said in a low voice that sent a chill down my spine. “Let’s see what you can do.”<br /> His expression softened slightly, but not enough to appear friendly. Still, I took a long, deep breath, and then addressed him calmly.<br /> “I’ll do my best,” I promised, and I fought back a shiver. “But it will be difficult to find the cure to the boy’s bite without first identifying the viper. Different snakes have different venom, and the severity of his injury will depend on the breed and size of the creature.”<br /> For a moment, I expected more resistance, but Asher simply nodded.<br /> “Guards,” he called out in a stern and regal tone, and without further question, the guards who’d been stationed at the outside doors appeared before us. Once they were in position, Asher straightened his stance and held his head high.<br /> “Please tell Alpha Gareth that more search squads will need to be sent to the forest,” he said. “We need to locate the viper as soon as possible so the doctors can properly address my son’s wounds. Please make haste. Time is of the essence.”<br /> “Yes, Your Majesty,” the guards replied in unison, and after each offered the Alpha King uniform bows, they rushed out of the chamber and shut the doors behind them.<br /> Asher raised his chin toward us. “If you can’t heal my son, I’ll let the whole Pack die with him.”<br /> His warning was stated calmly, as if it were just another sentence, but the rest of us felt the weight of his words crash over it. A lump formed in my throat, and when I glanced over at Sofia, her face grew pale. Marley’s expression was no better, and as I looked around the room, the servants held similar looks of fear.<br /> The Alpha King was no one to mess with. We needed to keep our wits about us.<br /> So, without another word, I motioned toward Marley, and the pair of us turned our attention back to the boy.<br /> “I’ll leave you to it, Cassy,” Sofia said quietly. “I’m going to check on Finnick and the boys downstairs.”<br /> “Thank you,” I said, and I offered the Luna a small nod of respect. She smiled back at me, and then she left the chamber.<br /> Marley and I got to work and started to fully examine the bite on the young prince’s bite. It’d worsened even since Marley and I had arrived, and knew Asher was right- time was of the essence. We needed to act fast if we were going to save his life.<br /> “Can we do this?” Marley whispered just loud enough for me to hear. “Cassandra, this looks bad.”<br /> “We have no choice in the matter,” I reminded her gently. “Besides, we’ve dealt with worse before. We can do this, Marley.”<br /> My assistant paused for a moment, and then she nodded. “You’re right. Let’s get to work.”<br /> The next few hours passed by laboriously. As we waited for the guards to return with some sort of news about the viper, Marley and I did all we could to keep the boy comfortable. <br /> The Alpha King remained close to us as we attended to his son, and it was unclear if he was monitoring our treatment or just studying me.<br /> The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up as chills continuously ran down my spine. I wasn’t the kind of woman who got nervous easily, but the Alpha King’s very presence set every inch of my body on edge.<br /> Of all of the people to be here, he was the last one I’d ever have expected, and my emotions were running wild. I wasn’t sure whether to cry or be relieved to see him after so long. All I knew was that this was unbelievably complicated.<br /> After long, a pair of guards returned. They’d finally tracked down the viper. Luckily, it was one that I’d seen in a medical book. I relayed all of the information I knew to Marley and Asher, and the pair of them seemed relieved to know there was a potential cure.<br /> The Alpha King had assigned guards to accompany Marley back to the clinic to procure the herbs needed to heal the boy. My assistant seemed nervous to be surrounded by such heavily-weaponed men, but she accepted the help.<br /> Half an hour later, she returned with the herbs, and we got to work. We prepared a salve to apply directly to the wound, and then used others to brew a tea that would treat the boy internally. The prince was weak, but we managed to help him get enough of the tea into his system to treat him properly.<br /> Hours passed by, and by dusk, the boy finally became stable. After much fitful moaning and crying, he’d finally fallen into a quiet sleep. The blueness of his lips had disappeared, and color had returned to his cheeks. Beneath the salve, the swollenness of the bite had eased.<br /> Once he was sustained, I sent Marley back home. She put up a bit of a fight and insisted on staying with me, but I pushed back and told her she needed to go back to her boys.<br /> I’d turned to the rest of the people standing around in the chamber and asked for some time alone with my patient. The guards seemed hesitant to leave me alone with the prince, but the Alpha King heeded my request and ordered the others to do the same. They filtered out of the chamber, and once they were gone, I released a sigh.<br /> As much as the quiet was nice, asking everyone to leave us was more of an excuse than anything. My patient was stable, but I needed time to think and process the emotions that swirled around in my mind like a storm.<br /> I hadn’t been prepared to see Asher again, and I was surprised to see just how much he’d changed over the years. He was the Alpha King now, and as such, he was the ruthless leader of the Wegalla Empire. In the past, he’d seemed hesitant to take on the position, but it seemed like he’d embraced his destiny.<br /> Not only that, but he had a son.<br /> I glanced over at the boy. Was he also the son of Adalyn Moses?<br /> A pang of sadness struck me. He had to be. Asher had abandoned me all those years ago and left me to suffer for the sake of marrying Adalyn. It would make sense that he’d have a son with her.<br /> My chest suddenly felt tight, and for a moment, I thought I was about to cry, but I forced those feelings down. Asher Collins was the Alpha King now. What he did was none of my business anymore, and I couldn’t let him affect me like this.<br /> Suddenly, a soft whimper interrupted my thoughts, and when I looked over, I watched the prince roll on his side. His sheets were thoroughly soaked from perspiration, and his forehead appeared damp as well.<br /> “Oh, sweetheart,” I murmured, and I hopped to my feet. The poor child was at risk of catching a cold.<br /> I rushed over to the door, and peeked my head out. A pair of guards stood at attention, and they stared at me with expressions of concern.<br /> “I need a servant,” I said. “The prince needs a fresh set of blankets.”<br /> The guards nodded, and one of them disappeared down the hall. I stepped back into the chamber, and a few minutes later, the doors flew open to reveal a pair of servants with piles of fresh linens. But they weren’t alone. Asher Collins walked in with them, and his gray eyes flashed with concern.<br /> “How is he?” he demanded as he rushed over, but when he caught sight of his son, his expression softened.<br /> “Better,” I answered gently. “I just thought he would be more comfortable with fresh sheets.”<br /> “Oh,” Asher said simply, and he nodded. It was clear that he was a caring father, and it was strange to seem him in this light.<br /> I stepped aside as the servants changed the prince’s sheets, and as Asher spoke quietly to his son, I felt a lump form once again in my throat. My stomach turned and for a moment, I thought I was going to throw up. Tears welled in my eyes, and I dug my nails into my palms.<br /> This was too hard.<br /> Once the servants were done, they left the chamber, and I wanted to follow. So, I turned to Asher.<br /> “Your son just needs rest,” I managed to say. “He’s recovering quite well, so I think I should take my leave.”<br /> Before he could say another word, I turned on my heels and headed toward the doors. I’d nearly made it there when Asher’s voice rang through the chamber.<br /> “Stay,” he demanded.<br /> I froze for a moment, and then took a step forward. Then he spoke again, his voice hardened and deadly serious.<br /> “I said stay.”<br /> I was stunned by the severity of his tone. He wasn’t addressing me as Asher Collins. He was ordering me as the Alpha King.<br /> The last thing I wanted was to stay in the chamber alone with him and the sleeping prince, but as much as I wanted to disobey his order, I knew I had no choice. He was the ruler of the realm, and I could face horrible consequences if I didn’t obey.<br /> So, I turned back around. I was about to walk back over to the bed when a thought crossed my mind.<br /> “My apologies, Your Majesty, but I need to go and take care of my son,” I explained, and it took all of my effort to keep my voice steady.<br /> “Your son?” Asher repeated back, and he crossed his arms against his chest.<br /> “Yes, my son,” I answered. “He’s waiting for me. I’ve been working all day, so I haven’t had the chance to see him yet.”<br /> “Where is he?” the Alpha King pressed. His gray eyes narrowed as if he didn’t wish to let me leave.<br /> “He is with the Luna Sofia’s children,” I answered. “Downstairs, I believe. ”<br /> “He will be brought here then,” Asher replied, and he raised his chin. “You cannot leave before my son awakens.”<br /> His tone was even harsher than his first demand, and a chill ran down my spine.<br /> “A guard will collect your son,” he said. “You will remain here with mine. Is there anything you need in the meantime?”<br /> I shook my head. “No, Your Majesty. I have all I need right here.”<br /> “Then take a seat,” he ordered. “I will speak with my guard at once.”<br /> I nodded politely, and then walked back over to the side of the room. I took a seat beside the prince’s bed, meanwhile, Asher crossed over to the double doors. He poked his head out and spoke to the guards in a commanding voice.<br /> Then the doors closed again. As Asher walked back toward me, I felt my hands begin to shake. There was no way the Alpha King could see my Finnick, but what could I do? The plan had already been set in motion, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.<br /> All I could do was hope the prince would awaken so I could leave the Pack House with my son and put this day behind me.<br /> Asher took a seat opposite me, and when he wasn’t looking, I carefully scooted my seat back a little. There wasn’t much I could do to stay away from him, but I would try my best to maintain distance. I was scared he could hear how fast my heart was racing in my chest or how my breath was uneven. I was worried he could tell I was uneasy.<br /> I couldn’t risk him being suspicious about any of this.<br /> We spent our time in an uncomfortable silence. Asher’s eyes remained fixed on his son, and I tried to look elsewhere to avoid him. All the while, I prayed the Alpha King’s son would awaken, and the attention would be taken away from this entire interaction.<br /> Suddenly, the doors of the chamber flew open, and moments later, a set of footsteps rang out against the polished wood floors.<br /> “Mommy!” Finnick exclaimed happily, and when I looked up, I saw my son headed toward me at full speed. Once he reached me, I wrapped my arms around him and drew him into a hug.<br /> “Finnick!” I said, and I planted a kiss on his forehead.<br /> “Mommy, where have you been?” Finnick wondered, and he tilted his head to the side slightly. “I missed you.”<br /> He frowned and pouted ever-so-slightly. I fought back a laugh at his expression and smiled. Despite the look on his face, Finnick’s words brought me happiness. Our bond was wonderful, and my son always brought me joy no matter what. He had been the reason I’d been able to carry on for the past five years and was my entire reason for living.<br /> “I’ve missed you too, honey,” I said, and I softened my voice. “We need to stay quiet, alright?”<br /> Finnick nodded. “Okay, Mommy.”<br /> “Did you have a good day?” I asked, and Finnick’s face lit up. He was about to speak when he glanced over at the sleeping boy beside us. He raised a finger to his lips and then nodded again.<br /> “Yes,” he whispered considerately. “We played hide and seek in the garden, and then Auntie Sofia taught us how to draw a flower. Dominic said it was called a dandelion.”<br /> Dominic was Sofia’s son, and he was around Finnick’s age. They were dear friends, and Finnick thought of the Luna’s son like a brother.<br /> “A dandelion?” I repeated back quietly. “Oh wow! Do you have the picture with you?”<br /> Finnick nodded happily, and then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small piece of paper and handed it to me excitedly.<br /> I opened the folded paper carefully, and my lips curled into a smile. He’d indeed drawn a dandelion, and he’d done a great job.<br /> “This looks great, Finnick,” I complimented him. “Can I keep this?”<br /> “Of course, Mommy,” Finnick replied.<br /> It was then I remembered Asher. I glanced over at him and when we made eye contact, a feeling of dread ran through me. Had he been watching us this entire time? My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly looked back to Finnick.<br /> “Thank you,” I said, and I kissed his forehead. Finnick grinned and then gave me a huge hug. <br /> “Wait, Mommy, who’s he?” Finnick asked once he pulled away, and this time, he was staring right at Asher.<br /> My heart skipped again as I searched my mind for an answer. How would I explain who he was to my son? Before I could say anything, Finnick gasped and pointed at Asher.<br /> “Look, Mommy, he has the same gray eyes as me,” he remarked in awe. “But you said it was rare to have this color eyes!”<br /> My own eyes widened and I froze. Asher’s attention fell to my son, and his lips parted ever so slightly.<br /> He’d noticed it too. | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56333 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/4/25, 2:19 PM | 1703105779 | 1749064768 | 65 | 388744140154538 | 7.6009832261614E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1054880307978117 | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 120201440783500249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/lunabydrakedustin | 1701717856 | 1.0548803079781E+15 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407653547_7152265941484323_764317271748869274_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xNTKhXgpK20AX9L0cz4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCEMpNskyAwlsgiE7Hq_jckujcKQzTlWIYTaGuJm95DbA&oe=65890A33 | person_profile | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407650105_1783414292104109_3115948731860778939_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fWEz2JaPR8oAX-oIVQO&_nc_oc=AQmwf05MPjTR9FMCKQQG7w8i6VrK0opeYcU5IIsdqo88fZ3zxT8WmD51IyAH6m_wfB5ha9-ybl_2yUum9ZkFlbBi&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9Z_U_o4iCYNhygt6b5l3_i30LLZRebwuGCy48jWj5yA&oe=65882681 | 0 | 3 | IN HER ELEMENT. For the most-awaited April 2023 issue of #TatlerPhilippines (@tatlerphilippines), #NadineLustre (@nadine) stunned everyone again with her ethereal appearance that is as beautiful as a scenic view. This time, Nadine was really ‘In Her Element’ as she became vocal about the imperative role of everyone to teach the young about environmentalism’s significance in today’s world. Read an article excerpt from Nadine’s cover issue and heed her call to start saving the planet in our simple ways. <br /> <br /> Photographed by BJ Pascual @bjpascual <br /> Styling by Joanna Garcia @joannagee <br /> Hair by Paul Nebres @paulnebres <br /> Makeup by Jelly Eugenio @jellyeugenio <br /> Nadine wearing @ushisato & @lunabydrakedustin<br /> <br /> Grab a copy now of @tatlerphilippines April 2023 featuring #NadineLustre ✨ | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 272992 | https://facebook.com/LunaByDrakeDustin | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56914 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 8:58 AM | 1703105785 | 1723730316 | 65 | 674480514503593 | 8.6183418227823E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779111620250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678187 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619723_1061366564892535_5544603005193099836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CJsQ5x3dQlgAX8JE80T&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAh0TU1CaGL8KRe3qqhAWnGUQ3Dm7jIwKyX-pdv9SAaUg&oe=658876C4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56796 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 12:26 AM | 1703105784 | 1743571604 | 65 | 373868988498266 | 1 | 6.7072223183808E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107090068642820 | 0 | Book Lovers Hub | 120200815340580645 | dynamic.chereads.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Search <The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>❤️🔥🔥 | https://dynamic.chereads.com/noah-ssg/wn/202303091/27109457006677105+1+4+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1700818564 | 1.0709006864282E+14 | Book Lovers Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405741170_1060418088475539_5331880884418487137_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=htgS2LLW8E4AX_Ju4kU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0ZcLhEUrSnFW6CLsPQDw0brqMPlnVoVHTuoypV1qlnA&oe=658877BF | person_profile | 0 | Book lovers hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405086118_670293638568055_8097387378722292808_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N_FdmqD6n6oAX-ws4Tm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8MzCXu8YxcG-XWXm9VO8997QWuifmRscCUZFIm_QLQw&oe=658859A1 | 0 | 3 | Manhattan,New York city.<br /> 8:06pm.<br /> In the vip ward of a hospital, a tall silhouette of a man was seated on a cushion. His long legs that were cladded in an expensive Italian shoe, sprawled out, while looking at his neat three piece customized tailored suit he wore, gave off the fact that he was wealthy.<br /> The expensive Rolex watch he wore fitted around his wrist perfectly and gave him an endearing look, on how dripping expensive everything he was wearing was. <br /> Everything about him could only scream one thing. <br /> Money! <br /> Power! <br /> Dominance!<br /> The cold look on his face as he tried hard to not lose his temper, made him surprised because he knew that he didn't have such self control right now, not for the situation at hand that had landed him here late at night in Weill Cornell medical center.<br /> It gave off the notice to the gossiping lips of the female nurses, who couldn't help but keep his name out of their lips, as every now and then, he could hear them outside the ward, as he had his mind prepared about the news that would probably be scrolling around the news headlines about him by now.<br /> Well, it wasn't everyday that someone of such high social caliber, would grace the hospital, especially at this time of the night that it was rare to see such a man, with the exception that he wasn't here because he was injured, nor needed to see the doctor.<br /> But rather, he was here because of the young lady that was sleeping on the hospital bed, a few meters away from where he sat. It was appalling that he sat and watched her sleep, the way a lover would do to the loved ones, while hoping that they get better.<br /> But no! The woman in front of him was not his lover, nor a family member that would warrant that he gives her such attention. One that anyone who knew him better, would confess that he wasn't a man who had such a loving heart, but just like they always say, there's a first time for everything.<br /> As he wanted for her to wake up, he could slowly feel his patience running off and all he wanted to do was to jerk her up, and have her repeat what exactly was the significant conversation that had brought them both here.<br /> "Sir?" Leo, his personal assistant called for his attention, and for the first time he looked away from the red hair who was sleeping soundly, towards him, his face showing how annoyed he was, for him to interrupt his thoughts.<br /> But he had to remind himself that Leo was one of his trusted men, and the only one who could put up with a jerk like him, so he snapped at him, arrogantly.<br /> "What? Don't tell me that mother is not feeling okay, I have a lot on my table right now,Leo." He said, his cold green eyes searching Leo's own for the affirmation that he had settled everything, that brought them out here before coming over here.<br /> "That's not the point,sir. Unfortunately your grandfather has been notified about the situation." <br /> It was like a bee stung him, when he heard Leo tell him that his grandfather knows about the woman lying on the bed, and he wasted no time standing up, pushed him to the wall before grabbing him by his throat.<br /> "Who told him about her? I had everything covered, how did it get to that old snake?"He roared, but the door had to open at that moment and the doctor in charge of the young woman chose this ungodly hour to walk in.<br /> It made him move away from Leo but not without his eyes, threatening to kill him if he didn't get away from his sight, before he snapped at the doctor, he was done waiting.<br /> "I must say doctor, I am a man of little patience, but now it seems to me that you think this is a joke, but if i were you i would do everything in my willpower to wake that woman up right now." The young man pointed at the sleeping lady, it was very evident in the tone he used towards her that he loathed everything that made him be here tonight, but it's not as if he had a choice.<br /> "Actually Mr.Russo, i am afraid i can't release the result of the test without the young lady being involved here too." Dr. Rosalie said, as she looked at the intimidating eyes of Giovanni Russo, the youngest billionaire to top the business world, before then looking at her poor girl, who had no idea what trouble she was in because the young man seemed not to have any intention of being here more than just a night.<br /> But it seemed luck was on his side, because as intimidating as he looked, she couldn't let that fear overrun her instincts to do what's right, because as soon as he was about to say something else, the young lady was up and rubbing at her eyes, before she finally looked at their way.<br /> Marissa Diàz.<br /> That's her name.<br /> Her eyes widened when it fell on Giovanni, and the doctor could finally see what this was all about. But she could do nothing, since Giovanni could wipe her whole existence from the earth and that of her family, thereby she behaved.<br /> "Well, look who finally decide to wake up?" Giovanni said, unamused before he strolled over to where Marissa sat on the bed, his hands itched to strangle her to the wall, and get the truth out of her at a faster pace.<br /> But he reminded himself of the possibility of what she's saying being the truth, and besides a doctor was here after all, so he waited but rather smiled at seeing that she was scared of him.<br /> That's right, darling. You should be scared.<br /> He grinned, before looking at the doctor beckoning the woman to do her thing, to which she walked over to where Marissa sat, with her breath hitching up while she prayed in her heart if there was a god out there to hear her prayers.<br /> "The results are out, Miss Diàz and i guess congratulations are in order." Doctor Rosaline said, and looked at Marissa who touched her stomach and on cue, she smiled at her.<br /> "Congratulations Miss Diàz. You are pregnant."<br /> Chapter Two: Marissa, The Loner And Introvert Is Going To A Party.<br /> "Finally, it's a wrap."<br /> Marissa said with a yawn, as she loosened the apron around her waist, while getting her clothes from her locker room, in a haste to get home to the comfort her bed provided. She needed that desperately since today was a long day, and she couldn't wait to close her eyes even if it's just for two hours.<br /> The young lady worked as a waitress at a famous diner in the city, it was a competitive work in the sense that the popularity the diner had attracted a whole lot of customers, and ofcourse interested workers who wouldn't mind taking up the job at working at 'Malcolm' diner had made the employees over there, to step up in their work of they wanted a place right there.<br /> Marissa Diàz is an orphan, well that was what she told everyone, because considering how terrible her relationship with her mother had gotten over the years, since the death of her father. She ran away from home, to escape an abusive mother who remarried just to curb the loneliness that spranged up at the death of her father.<br /> Marissa didn't have the best life like any other girl out there can boost off, having to fend for herself at the age of sixteen, the daily struggles and battling with depression and loneliness were the only constant things happening in her life.<br /> Whereas the young lady has lost the zeal that there would ever come a time where things would get brighter in her life, just like every other girl out there, Marissa always wished for the Barbie girl lifestyle, but as always it's always a wish that never comes true.<br /> At a point, when she experienced her first heartbreak, when her first boyfriend, Ryan was banging another girl on her bed, in her room. She fell into depression and the zeal to live was gone until she met her,Sasha.<br /> "Boo!" <br /> "Sasha what the hell is wrong with you?" Marissa said, touching her chest to calm her racing heart, as she looked at her side to see her best friend laughing at her scared face.<br /> She does this everything, and she always falls victim to her playful tactics. Marissa got annoyed with her laughter, as the other girls who were present in the changing room were already leaving for the day. She took her bag and flung it at her, but she caught it " You do this every time.''Marissa said with a frustrated grunt.<br /> "And your face gets me everytime, Marie." Sasha said, coming closer as she took her clothes from her hand, while Sasha wrapped her arm around her neck as they both stood in front of the mirror."You look horrible."Sasha confessed.<br /> "This job is draining the life out of me, but i need the job i can't seem to bear the thoughts of going astray one day and Mr.pere…."<br /> Marissa's anxiety about her work took over, and she couldn't help it ,but as always Sasha was in cue to stop her.<br /> "Hey, sweetheart. It's okay, nothing is going to happen okay. You are just being paranoid about this work, you need a break." Sasha suggested, but she looked at her immediately to tell her how impossible what she was asking for wouldn't happen.<br /> "Girl, am just kidding, okay." Sasha laughed, before she relaxed her mind."But i just want to tell you that no matter what happens, I will be here for you Marissa, you have got absolutely nothing to worry about, okay?"<br /> Marissa tried to control her tears, but she wasn't strong like Sasha. Every girl needs a best friend like Sasha. God! She didn't know what she would have done without her.<br /> Sasha didn't really have a pathetic life like her, her family were among the middle rich although she hasn't really gotten to know what exactly her parents do, or the reasons why Sasha works this job with her, the only good reason she got out of her was that she needed a distraction from family problems.<br /> Marissa said nothing but hugged her," what would i do without you?" She asked rhetorically, while Sasha rubbed her back lovely.<br /> But their moment were ruined when the door was swung open, and a<br /> an angry looking Mr.Peters asked from the doorway." Ten minutes more and you get to sleep in here, Marilyn." <br /> "It's Marissa, Mr.Peters, and thanks for the update though."Marissa said with a frown on her face, she watched as he left before getting rid of her uniform. He always gets her name wrong and did she forget to say that Mr.peter hates her?<br /> "So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Sasha asked, a little giddier than she is, and Marissa didn't need anyone to tell her what this was about.<br /> Sasha was a social butterfly, unlike her who would rather spend her free time reading romantic novels, watch binged horror movies and sleep for the rest of the day.<br /> Unlike Sasha, Marissa could say that she hated being around people, she preferred her free time and Sassha was not going to coerce her into leaving her comfort zone, no ..no. it's definitely not happening.<br /> "Oh! Please don't tell me this is what i am thinking about is?" Marissa said, while she took her purse and they were out of the diner.<br /> "Seriously Marissa, you didn't even let me tell you what it is before showing that you are not interested."Sasha complained, giving her puppy eyes so she could give in.<br /> Marissa looked away from her, but she hopped over to where her gaze was." Fine, what is it about?"<br /> "My brother's birthday is on saturday, i got invited, but i don't want to go alone. You know my family and i had been having issues…" Sasha paused, trying to find the right words to express what exactly she wanted to say.<br /> "And you are taking me along for support."Marissa completed her words.<br /> "Yeah, Sweetheart. I heard my elder brother would be present and we aren't the best cliqued brother and sister. So please, Marissa. Come with me, I promise it will be fun." Sasha begged.<br /> "I don't know Sasha, you know party and stuff aren't my thing…"Marissa tried to complain.<br /> "I know sweetheart, I know, but it's time you stop wishing to find the right person by just reading romantic novels, Marissa."<br /> Marissa rolled her eyes when she understood what this was about," I am not dating any of your brothers, Sasha. I am not good with people."<br /> "Don't say that yet, you would love it, Marissa."Sasha clapped her hands, while making a dreamy face. It was evident that she had something planned in mind, but Marissa wasn't prepared for any of her match making plans.<br /> "Yeah, as long as you keep the men away. I'm good."<br /> "So, does it mean you are coming?" Sasha's loud voice was heard, as her overexcitement made the passerby to look at the both of them, earning a cautious look from Marissa.<br /> "Do i look like i have a choice?"The young lady said, and Sasha yelped in excitement, making Marissa worried, because for someone who said that it was her brother's birthday, she's over excited.<br /> She didn't know if that's something to be bothered about, but she had to let her wandering mind rest. She gets worried easily but making going out with Sasha would not be a bad idea..<br /> So yeah, Marissa Diàz, the loner and introvert is going to a party!<br /> Chapter Three: Where Is Giovanni?<br /> New York city.<br /> ~~~<br /> "He's running late again."Edward Russo complained for the third time, to his wife who stood besides him, while trying to keep a happy face while all is not well.<br /> Apparently, they were under pressure seeing that very soon they were going going to take the words of insults thrown to them because of their immature son, Giovanni Rosso, who had refused to be on time for the private services that was being hosted in their hometown by his grandfather, has been an active member for a long time since the death of his wife.<br /> Standing besides a worried Edward Russo, who turned to look at his father engaged in a conversation with an important guest, who was doing a good job keeping his mind away from noticing that Giovanni wasn't here yet.<br /> His ever so lovely wife, Amrita Russo. The first daughter in-law to grace the family and proved her worth to the family both in business, and everything.<br /> She was the apple of the man's eyes, besides her who was trying so much not to show how panicked he was, but right now when she tried to speak up on behalf of her son, she was tackled arrogantly by him.<br /> "Come on, huni. He's probably on his way here, you know how Giovanni is, am sure Leo knows the best thing to do is to make sure he's here by all means." Amrita tried to calm Edward, when it's just for these few minutes that the reporters were busy doing a job to interview everyone present and Giovanni is not here yet.<br /> The last thing that they want right now is another scandal, that would tarnish the image of the Russo corporation. Their son, Giovanni, had made it his primal duty to be on the bad side of the media every single week.<br /> The Russo corporation was among the top five world leading oil mining companies to exist, its original founder Paul Russo was dead, his successor after his son being the man who was the reason they were gathered here today, Christian Russo.<br /> Edward being the first son of the old man, followed by his brother who was not here yet, although he's sure that his father would not miss having his whole family here, on a special occasion like this. The old man would like to invite everyone of his family, just like old times so they could dine like a loving family.<br /> "It better be just like you said, Amrita. Your son has caused me nothing but blatant headaches in the past few months, I have had enough of his immature ass, it's time he sits and assumes his responsibility as the heir to the company." Edward spat, which made her scoff at his words.<br /> "My son? Seriously Edward, you and i both know you also spoiled the boy to the wits, you can't just pin the blame on me when he starts behaving just like how daddy dearest had taught him." Amrita sneered, before looking away from him in anger.<br /> He always does this every time, when Giovanni behaves like the spoiled asshole he was, he would rather she takes the blame than him. But apparently, it was no one's fault that Giovanni was this way he is. The boy was difficult to handle, especially since he came back from the states from his studies.<br /> "Amrita..baby, I'm sorry." Edward tried to apologize, but then they were interrupted by the all familiar car that parked with a screeching sound that attracted everyone's attention over to them.<br /> The both of them didn't need any soothsayer to tell them who it was as the car door was opened by the bodyguard and Micheal, Edward's younger brother stepped out with that ever proud smile on his face.<br /> His wife, Joanna, was dressed to kill! Today was basically all about their grandfather, but she dressed like she was walking down the runway.<br /> Edward couldn't help to control his smile when he saw the annoyance that ran across his father's face seeing her. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one who didn't like the b.it.ch.<br /> The reporters were on cue to start taking pictures of them, until the next car to slide in revealed Diego, the second grandson of the Russo Family, Giovanni's cousin.<br /> "Grandpa." The bubbly one he was, as he wasted no time to run into the embrace of his grandfather, who was all smiles. No matter how bad everyone's dislike his mother, Diego was different and apparently the smile keeper of the family. Grandpa loves him.<br /> "Congratulation father, on your new hospital." Micheal said, moving forward to pay his respect to the old one.<br /> "It's not my hospital, Micheal. It belongs to the public." Christian Russo, replied back as a slight annoyance ran across his face when Joanna's voice was the next to be heard.<br /> "Congratulations, father. You didn't tell us you were back from the states?"Joanna asked as her eyes scanned across the room in the hope of finding the favorite daughter in-law, Amrita.<br /> "Maybe if you had kept in touch just like Amrita did, you would know my schedules, Judith."Christian Russo spoke harshly to her, but no one could interrupt him nor challenge him because they knew better not to do that.<br /> Joanna tried to speak up to correct the old man who didn't know her name, even after twenty years of marriage to his son. But she was held back by Micheal, who grabbed her hand as a sign to shut her up.<br /> He clearly was showing signs of Alzheimer, but no! This was no sickness or whatsoever.She knew that he was doing this in spite to remind her everyday, that she was nothing but a secretary that had seduced her boss, got pregnant and earned her space in the family register.<br /> "I don't see Edward and family, perhaps don't tell me they might have forgotten about your special day, father?" Micheal teased, a wave of happiness running through him until it disappeared when he heard his brother's voice at his back.<br /> "Finally, you all are here." Edward said with a smile, as he watched his brother grit his teeth seeing him and Amrita, until he noticed the absence of Giovanni.<br /> "Since you all are here…." Grandfather tried speaking, until he looked beyond Amrita's back to see that someone was missing.<br /> "Someone is about to be insulted." Joanna's said lowly with a chuckle, but she's sure that Amrita heard her quite alright seeing how pale she was at hearing Grandpa paused during his words.<br /> He turned instantly to look at Edward and Amrita, disappointment clearly written on his face that his favourite grandson was not here, yet and there's a big sign that he wouldn't be.<br /> "The event is about to start." Micheal reminded everyone, a satisfied grin plastered on his face.<br /> "Father, I can explain."Edward moved forward, but the look he gave him made him shut up instantly as he bent his head down in shame.<br /> Grandfather looked away from him and Amrita, towards Micheal and his family." Let's go in." While Edward had to leave with anger emitting off him, with Amrita going after him before he does something he would regret.<br /> The question on everyone's lips, where is Giovanni?<br /> Chapter Four: Narcissist Prince Charming Named Giovanni.<br /> While his parents were taking the insults of their lives at the charity event center, Giovanni Russo was asleep in his room, in between the arms of the girl he had brought home last night.<br /> He sat up with a groan, and pushed the girl away from him when he saw how clingy she was to him. This was what he hated, the ridiculous aftercare after getting what they both wanted.<br /> He's not a fool, Giovanni knew what women see at just one glimpse at him. A money bank, so instead of falling victim a second time, after surviving the first heartbreak from the woman he loved. He had given up on the quest to find love.<br /> His ex,Angela did him good and that changed everything about him. So instead of being the one who ends up getting hurt by the opposite gender, he would rather the girls fight for his attention which no woman on earth would be lucky enough to get once again.<br /> Giovanni Russo, aged twenty four years. The first grandson and heir to the great Christian Russo. A notorious playboy, who would rather spend all his money drinking and changing his girls like clothes, than to take up his responsibility as his father did.<br /> He's arrogant, a total jerk who makes everyone around him see reasons why he's such a loner. But anyway, that's how he wanted his life to be, the only thing he loved was his parents and his money.<br /> Giovanni touched his temple, a groan leaving his lips at the headache that was forming early this morning, while he scanned his eyes around his room insearch of his assistant, Leo, but the motherfxxker was nowhere to be found.<br /> He tried to sit up, but then warm pairs of hands wrapped around his waist, before he felt the body hug him from behind made him remember that he still has someone here with him.<br /> "Good morning, my love. How was your night?" The girl asked, and Goivanni being the douchebag he was, moved away when the stench from her early morning breathe hit his nostrils.<br /> "Your morning breathe didn't make me have a good night rest. Get out!" He said coldly, looking around his room for his phone. He needed to call Leo.<br /> The horrified expression on the girl's face didn't bother him, she should have known her place to talk to him like this wasn't just a one night thing.<br /> When he turned around to see that she's still in the bed, holding the bed sheets up to her chest. He became angry." Hey, didn't you hear me, I said get out. We both had a great night, and this was supposed to be a one night thing. So what else are you still waiting for?" He asked, a prideful smirk on his lips.<br /> "I.." The young woman tried to talk, but she was dumbfounded by the cold and aloof attitude coming from him. It was like she didn't expect that from him, but that's her hurting herself to say that, everyone knew Giovanni Russo.<br /> The biggest playboy in the city, so she was rather sad that she wasn't the lucky one to tell her friends that she had his attention.<br /> A bundle of cash was thrown on the bed, and she looked up to him." That would be enough for your transport, get new clothes and the remaining may keep you from whoring your ass out for the whole week." He said, a sarcastic laugh leaving his tone.<br /> "Hey! That's rude of you to call me a whore, who do you think you are?!" The girl yelled, her dignity has been insulted, and in as much as she was here because of him. She wouldn't allow him to question why she choose to live this way.<br /> How dare him question her life?<br /> Unlike him who had everything, the rich parents, a good life and whatnot. He shouldn't be an asshole to laugh at her face about her bad life.<br /> "Aww, the b.it.ch had got some fire in her." He scoffed, before he added," Now, you would learn to seal your lips, and know when to talk and who to talk to or not. I have low patience for ungrateful girls like you, now get out!" He shouted, this time around with every seriousness that had the girl scurried away for her life, but not without taking the money with her.<br /> He sighed tiredly, as he walked towards his drawer and took an aspirin drowning it down with his drink. Before the front door to his room was swung open and an impatient and worried Leo walked in.<br /> "What's got your panties in a twists, Leo. If this is about work,I am not leaving. I'm just back from the states, you can't listen to every single order from my parents." He said, turning to leave for the bathroom.<br /> "Sir, you didn't remember what today is?" Leo asked him, gulping a lump down his throat when he looked at the wall clock in his room to see how late they were.<br /> His grandfather is going to kill him!<br /> "What do you mean…" Giovanni's words was cut short, by the ringing of his phone behind the couch and he rushed up to see his father calling.<br /> What does he wants?<br /> He thought, but the worst mistake he did was by not asking Leo what was happening, by what he meant about what special thing was happening today, before he accepted the call.<br /> "Dad…"<br /> "GIOVANNI AMIR RUSSO! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!!"Edward shouted over the phone, that made him move the phone away from his ears until he caught on to something.<br /> The music playing behind the background, and his grandfather's voice shouting at his mother. His eyes widened in shock and he cut the call before turning to throw the phone at Leo, who was swift enough to catch it because he always does that.<br /> "Why didn't you tell me that today was that old man's day, you fool!" He cussed, before he ran into the bathroom.<br /> Leo said nothing while he took his time to shower, dress up and leave the house with him following behind him, as they drove down to the event arena.<br /> He was used to his ways, Giovanni was never serious with his life and everyone knew that, everyone including his grandfather, who would probably skin him alive today. He's sure of it.<br /> ------------------------------------------------------<br /> Install our App and search 🔥<The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>🔥 to read more exciting chapters | Book Lovers Hub | 19801 | https://facebook.com/100083240766650 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56226 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 10:48 AM | 1703105778 | 1747669692 | 65 | 1584755442267647 | 1 | 1.1182495691579E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 121116260977905 | 0 | Day Magazine Inside | 120202044179190375 | theprimarymarket.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://theprimarymarket.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-j2-ext/ | 1701948612 | 1.2111626097790E+14 | Day Magazine Inside | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408496451_1368559753800401_8428004264975236675_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UDg748hTgEMAX84M5IQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfASQmmJsFBoWWySPWNPk10r4NqQm13qBQAOaiMXBck6Bg&oe=6589415C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | You never know when life can change places from happily living to spend days regretting the decisions... The Dark Secret of "Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers" | Day Magazine Inside | 43 | https://facebook.com/100092528718253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55689 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/18/24, 11:29 PM | 1703105772 | 1734586141 | 65 | 610864857798750 | 1 | 3.8073880781883E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108594095633452 | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 120202671617680379 | snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com | Book now | NONE | image | Need Dental Care? We've Got You Covered! | Call today for exceptional dental services in EVERETT | https://snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com/new-patients | 1702576728 | 1.0859409563345E+14 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411068374_914616033436240_2267419560835250040_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T6GYubyqTHAAX_8E2Hx&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBV78c8wnbXBlDHmVSfubAHoAPf4jYVrejW_jlsD99HkA&oe=658908E2 | person_profile | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411180534_760285015932894_4966672908666140049_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YnzGYpW9dpoAX-MEw_K&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBP50Eb_WmjlbzQGLccK68NTcuSHkTadc_--SnoS63MiQ&oe=65886C10 | 0 | 3 | Hey Snohomish community, I'm Dr. Huy Ngo, or Dr. No – your friendly dentist on a mission to keep your smile in top-notch shape! <br /> <br /> I've been passionate about dental care since 2009 when I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). <br /> <br /> Later, I pursued my dreams at Roseman University, graduating with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2018.<br /> <br /> Pilchuck Family Dentistry is now serving Snohomish and its surrounding areas. <br /> <br /> I strive to provide top-notch care for you and your loved ones, offering a wide range of services from routine check-ups to cosmetic procedures. Your dental health is my utmost priority.<br /> <br /> As a mom of two adorable kids, Kai and Joanna, I understand the value of gentle and compassionate dentistry for the whole family. <br /> <br /> When I'm not perfecting smiles, you'll find me enjoying cooking, hiking, gardening, and creating cherished memories with my loved ones. <br /> <br /> Don't wait – book your appointment today, and let's achieve a smile that lights up your world! | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 6 | https://facebook.com/100094510184320 | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56117 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/19/24, 5:12 AM | 1703105777 | 1734606759 | 65 | 732492414980848 | 1 | 2.4286494199973E+14 | 1702195200 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 115119818185522 | 0 | peculiarartbykaye | 120201927394140389 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/peculiarartbykaye | 1702149849 | 1.1511981818552E+14 | peculiarartbykaye | https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/403822580_336103679037659_358106235280235566_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=PC8K2lRsDYUAX8EDyl9&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfCKBjuryC6knOy5S76XyI8ZFIhg8LN9RckMOkeyzxTNPA&oe=6588587C | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Florence Kaye | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409173286_1010024370285375_7089455204083972673_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OtH-TG4_4HwAX-MoW8R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBzKONj9rrcsEXp2D3tHkVSJvmAnRjtKgaOuFQwwBZ5jA&oe=65877D35 | 0 | 3 | Handpainted Tote Bag for Ms Joanna<br /> 💜🎨<br /> Happy Holidays!<br /> <br /> #handpainted #paintonbag #paintontotebag #acrylic #acrylicpainting #acrylicpaintonbags #dubaiart #dubaiartists #mentalhealthawareness #selftaught #selftaughtartist #anxietysupport #anxietyrelief #dubailifestyle #artistsoninstagram #art #floral #floraldesign #bags | peculiarartbykaye | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/peculiarartbykaye | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56433 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 8:51 AM | 1703105780 | 1747662667 | 65 | 234100656232749 | 1 | 3.6067053977143E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 119869694362867 | 0 | Zillow - Rental Apartment | 120201626462000103 | zillow.com | NONE | carousel | Zillow - Rental Apartment | https://www.zillow.com/apartments/portland-or/joanna-lofts/9VMPgb/ | 1701415198 | 1.1986969436287E+14 | Zillow - Rental Apartment | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404822783_741572111122357_4353687372901680608_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UIiThIoQVFYAX-xmdyx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7Un2qoW4_9LbhvHSMOtas7T8cO9ILkJStwsYh9nf7XA&oe=65875746 | person_profile | 0 | Zillow – Rentals | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406113840_1132850724348251_6542914047187972402_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BG9XYNzODDgAX-Tcoit&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBEYpudnbMoqKfacrWYmxvEPYnFVD6apE36msu1cYVeA&oe=65891010 | 0 | 3 | Nestled in one of the city's most sought-after neighborhoods, this property offers access to various local hotspots. Mt. Tabor Park is just steps away, offering hiking trails, stunning views of downtown | Zillow - Rental Apartment | 653 | https://facebook.com/100091258599546 | 0 | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55288 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 8:52 AM | 1703105768 | 1747662746 | 65 | 373626578581835 | 1.5236034117624E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX_7d5_Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0xHFhidxRAQCFugejmKZHv77byLBYJTT7_j4fQKAvgw&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-FZJTx&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBclto2jWOf0t0cqqZXW5eCYAXPxFOijtz9v_Sk5hQIcw&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT02C9DUQ18yshYp2FqL0XaHYLNNcy0uU6dIQAw3wpxf-g1A8IAKOUlFKw7j7CPOX7iQ9kZ2dM5U4EqkL3_ZORgMG9iG-7cI5TdOlq9ROq2xC9qjfvk_kWmeUtpzs2hJsi2viBsAtGj_V3ONFAhjK4Gt3g0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55236 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/11/24, 6:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1726095659 | 65 | 3517104708538366 | 1 | 1.1277272881931E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1557901304441461 | 0 | Joanna Buchanan | 6537777024748 | joannabuchanan.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannabuchanan.com/collections/for-the-bar | 1702456675 | 1.5579013044415E+15 | Joanna Buchanan | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409440903_682053547366143_4718409908191810517_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=27PrDqViHj4AX8hf7d-&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxuluBZpkK9mOz1lQ-XBN-6ET41lYc3CN_m6_X81bJ2Q&oe=6587DADF | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA BUCHANAN Home Décor | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409709177_875903003986718_2331011733789789008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qLcuE295ADUAX-TI1Pg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDn9GtJksGMeByDAUWz3-GlvOSzrZdwOhS7vcoJokOE8g&oe=6588BB77 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Buchanan | 1844 | https://facebook.com/joannabuchananofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56631 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/5/25, 12:43 PM | 1703105782 | 1751737420 | 65 | 777303167559761 | 1.3093793964447E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690735810115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055923 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405079497_721835849456085_1551248531729839648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4qwZnP-7wsgAX9UZKjN&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB-wEHq4QFczakhQAufiHr66vqggmOra-9nnBxETy8Qqg&oe=65877B56 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405203696_279009097976004_9073506435570310819_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XVMv7U92fesAX_kfjpj&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCf5lC6gsxju1KNxgFptlK3RgvZCAmW3uh-J9-PbZmz6w&oe=65881A81 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55569 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1313818469321288 | 1 | 2.4470499621653E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751510506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636958 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410703071_355837153807572_6492247973391073953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KtU0nvYYsPsAX_ML5cN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3-r4JkI1Alpw2eHFbBi8cAzNDO2GGtsgYMJujJ9h7_A&oe=6587D41F | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410720918_1266996710646767_7975589735902407523_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=orDreR0-_24AX_i9GGg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5Rr2zhIIffP4fP6I3hd9n0lWV9wK6umuxPwfE4bPnWA&oe=6589078E | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56122 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970752 | 65 | 364095512868467 | 3 | 3.7245110544223E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753711910427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119701 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409175945_899094201877261_174184483799042513_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hBLFQQ-5mW8AX-YGqof&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC_2SVH6MnCKyrgUv552MrK128w5x-AI6_CX_x3nnYqTQ&oe=658750B7 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408589526_368380035579977_7851029032595378143_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ngAaNnnfoSwAX9qqVjM&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAH0nbCpAWHSuOVW1xA1JALxMLQTd2YtIIPMg7sdrQBnQ&oe=6588FB63 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55414 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1407430436515437 | 9.0389222134585E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201980472490452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run Your Marathon In 16 Weeks... Or I'll Give You A $100 | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702862823 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411234563_378179194573366_8389408697720457988_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nqX-4wQs2x8AX8Zrspv&_nc_oc=AQk_VOdbHKuTF6fp4pXZN_rv5d3WGKSXamxfYaRDffVGdAN9b7WM6bhQYSDB9Qbp4F0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfACkGztfws6HrjPw0FOoRGEBkSsFFvCCLR3ElUPttHG-A&oe=6587FD01 | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412282304_1075603620246920_51109711020779814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qp81WH4Qn4cAX9_Eyzi&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCbgUkCvQBrh7LS9b8DPfzamPFJasGg1tGIkxFCIwzrnQ&oe=65885E2A | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT2cMl3Atw5_rLD6H7IwkazhDpguboNUsBpSy-zbBJmw1G3tFc3YJfJY1ZeTFyChHL_BSW79tIDJlsNjyxKNXWKNAVvsS63OQDEP88WLEeo7vzlbgLKLpvy1ZszNFxNhLvmBJ7j0FuEqOW4YObe5BumPltg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56537 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/18/25, 2:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1737233994 | 65 | 358303460115996 | 1 | 1.3613560284531E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12013348247 | 0 | Country Living Magazine | 120201651566430684 | countryliving.com | No button | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Inspired Prime Day Deals for 2023 Have Arrived | https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g44448810/joanna-gaines-amazon-prime-day-2023/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=arb_fb_clv_m_ios_pv_comm_k1_g44448810 | 1701211534 | 12013348247 | Country Living Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405157550_1132026081292745_4520398802254263594_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dgtlGW3dGTMAX_rnB4x&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAZv79g4eK70ZGyuHnFh5KBbcKt07dhAaHI7g0_R38Iyw&oe=6587FF76 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | If you dream over Jo's modern farmhouse style, it's time to make it a reality with today's Prime Day Deals. | Country Living Magazine | 5146467 | https://facebook.com/CountryLiving | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56979 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1475412269905196 | 5 | 8.4403303105709E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114866079891340 | 0 | Trivia.com | 120200721167820167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679091 | 1.1486607989134E+14 | Trivia.com | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403062126_649605070587053_234047071631406610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-euXXFd5rD4AX_1oE8E&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLtb3ayA8jFveovQ3fxe-HMM7Rf4vgUHJIzFVnRsu6mQ&oe=6587DA27 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com | 19814 | https://facebook.com/100063472063438 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56800 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 9:49 AM | 1703105784 | 1746542974 | 65 | 335251459252052 | 2 | 7.2171919612122E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632011900115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796595 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404636407_198423493309949_996108326750321544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EaAE9K9oBTUAX-WAV8u&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA2oBaFQY-N2HCwWh_gUaexsJGiZR185TCk_dP6IFVFQA&oe=6587B25E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404625886_366046225952523_7233046316216855553_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4rTFQSBWmcEAX9jeFVe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAt-_CQKninzBVOXpEL63XQZ0VcjqxDm_F3BypTj_QlAQ&oe=6587C70C | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55404 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/10/25, 1:29 PM | 1703105769 | 1741631368 | 65 | 1219397908994088 | 1 | 2.025651667797E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1589573467926187 | 0 | Karuna Yoga Buffalo | 6542062308697 | Call Now | NONE | image | Karuna Yoga Buffalo - Shop Classes | Karuna Yoga Buffalo offers ongoing, Specialty Yoga and Meditation Classes/Workshops for Stress-Relief, Relaxation, Concentration, Inner-Strength and Peace of Mind. Bring Peace to Your Body, Mind, and Spirit. Bring Peace to Yourself, Your Community, and the World. Be the Change you Wish to See. It Al... | 1702933567 | 1.5895734679262E+15 | Karuna Yoga Buffalo | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411776324_329650033343517_6559282108626623011_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_tFdi1xHQ7IAX9njgkM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDAigsNqC398Wx15OcAQ__Wqvqng1R9l5FNP7vpC49HxQ&oe=6588259D | person_profile | 0 | Karuna Yoga Buffalo | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411341247_1718571101957545_7014196800623247767_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dP1dq14oIsQAX9uPBW0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNsnkoqXUxXNUEikvR8L_p_ORV9TXTt9ADBcgQf4ekdA&oe=6587B93C | 0 | 3 | The New Year's Schedule is Up! Here's what we will be offering~<br /> <br /> Ten Class Pass Special: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FTen-Class-Pass-subject-to-space-availability%2Fp%2F377115740%2Fcategory%3D105533103&h=AT0HMTvXsvoU1yW1Y0-HK32sAWLd4wUuxE-XN7GEd8PHN0WOBN2lMzQw8SpLfGpCNjAel268XxdSXAh40PZsI0b89lmaKfgXStjY2OKyVeAZccWmk9nwt6GCp1yd-ijJNrStvh-Mt0LWn7NfIV36TA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Ten-Class-Pass-subject-to-space-availability/p/377115740/category=105533103</a><br /> <br /> New Six Week Sessions:<br /> <br /> Monday Nights, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Church Location; <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Monday-Nights-6-30pm-7-30pm-January-8th-February-12th-Six-Classes-Church-Location-Instructor-Jean%2Fp%2F596903642%2Fcategory%3D154611253&h=AT08Dr7Ds1k-j7Tqn8g3Vg1Prqs4NXRGVhOOe1zgGlFGu-0gnFOGYIKZLj6GqfWq6xUZ4AFzCTu4xjtVcqJ57-Qm6IPIdmNZRQ6VMXPQaj2-Th9yDsiM6GUrcDr6Y04jVckOcxmPNtXm8wj4QObLl4wre-yoLvQMO2w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Monday-Nights-6-30pm-7-30pm-January-8th-February-12th-Six-Classes-Church-Location-Instructor-Jean/p/596903642/category=154611253</a><br /> <br /> Tuesday Mornings, 10am-11am, Studio Location;<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Tuesday-Mornings-10am-11am-January-9th-February-13th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean%2Fp%2F613831765%2Fcategory%3D154634007&h=AT3dNhhutUaWGmYFFskifQPSdVP_fCiTXrVcAgYLE_iGCecKLOT44-51tvD0KpEknuN21E15gxtWGemVaWSHvwyKs5hY700Gbe_-mg_PfblZQp7EVilABwsHKVU-kVZNuBwttzNFNY9WOZ4opo1srQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Tuesday-Mornings-10am-11am-January-9th-February-13th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean/p/613831765/category=154634007</a><br /> <br /> Tuesday Nights, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Church Location; <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Tuesday-Mornings-10am-11am-January-9th-February-13th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean%2Fp%2F613831765%2Fcategory%3D154634007&h=AT32gVZTUm6OpQ4ONq52v38iwspoPj9fiV5s2o9UVQE6rMYN7el43ZarDjbmyWQZa33tMDZdv_fy6PDOwpj1ckgM3xRj53R41DIqC6-8fbwfPfbb2G-ENtj-0F7V5b5ztkEtDIjJh1K6jzM4946O4Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Tuesday-Mornings-10am-11am-January-9th-February-13th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean/p/613831765/category=154634007</a><br /> <br /> Wednesday Nights, 7pm-8pm, Studio Location;<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Wednesday-Nights-7pm-8pm-January-10th-February-14th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean%2Fp%2F613832781%2Fcategory%3D154634007&h=AT3alZxpsy9YyGJc-0D9CVvBzl2Nkf6e9rShKMIAJwr76DSFudEAO4o_n0VFf1IBCezrIug6_JvhJGb68f5cp4G3uE0UG7wyK1tULvhax4MkUFCs_C3zyfNtOlibZmWhXKYdbCPyJGk6GMWqXJ8NQBT1ZYzs8mAYk0s" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Wednesday-Nights-7pm-8pm-January-10th-February-14th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean/p/613832781/category=154634007</a><br /> <br /> Thursday Mornings, 10am-11am, Studio Location; <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Thursday-Mornings-10-00am-11-00am-January-11th-February-15th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean%2Fp%2F613811513%2Fcategory%3D154634007&h=AT1XY-Hgq7EETNP3lt--VECFQWT2t04swEQ8RnwFZmoIrfvxyMFuLdpAlKWUAguXQ-YxgxCbRlHRKSn80wQXNLtTALAslEYDJ89iHHckLBEC0Y4SLDGtSbK4P45YYLs_u6fMq-siruYprgRxl2bdJQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Thursday-Mornings-10-00am-11-00am-January-11th-February-15th-SIX-CLASSES-Studio-Location-Instructor-Jean/p/613811513/category=154634007</a><br /> <br /> Saturday Mornings, 10am-11am, Church Location; <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.karunayogabuffalo.com%2F%23%21%2FYoga-Reset-Saturday-Mornings-10-00am-11-00am-January-13th-February-17th-SIX-CLASSES-Church-Location-Instructor-Joanna%2Fp%2F613484168%2Fcategory%3D154611253&h=AT1Vukrk2m_DjCVMUuuw17giPB3sa7C7zvctSamsK3D6HVI-AlvoFouBIlaGR75ztglYIvYiVtMvMpeBtuFQBMRol5w2xa82VLkPiWrlZ26WnNo2pBVIDlBQqYI0YHf1MnPAJ0RiZy-kuvhwEM-_hOuyWHi5WeAMY_k" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://www.karunayogabuffalo.com/#!/Yoga-Reset-Saturday-Mornings-10-00am-11-00am-January-13th-February-17th-SIX-CLASSES-Church-Location-Instructor-Joanna/p/613484168/category=154611253</a><br /> <br /> EVERYONE is WELCOME. Come ENJOY some PEACE with US in the NEW YEAR. | Karuna Yoga Buffalo | 808 | https://facebook.com/KarunaYogaBuffalo | 0 | CALL_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56493 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1035288317707614 | 1 | 1.4238229550135E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108626568688702 | 0 | Diana Stevan | 120201947267880512 | dianastevan.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Author Diana Stevan writes novels about relationships, love and family. | Official site of Canadian Author Diana Stevan, whose books cross genres. She blogs about writing, books, love, family, and relationships. | http://www.dianastevan.com/ | 1701302792 | 1.086265686887E+14 | Diana Stevan | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406228079_657452549882380_418231487016585413_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P6Gjjgra9YwAX-qM6Dg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAqAa-bp8FlHEgDwx3iyc9_HUvoS_MCy6a2SMpyVUlMfA&oe=6588B976 | person_profile | 0 | Diana Stevan | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406234951_677525967800924_8678324609042770177_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G3RElOQfgYUAX-92cwW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfANva0NJ8yWI0Abq9GgqAj58w2pE7DWNUBdSdIPnKCkVA&oe=6587882E | 0 | 3 | Written by a former family therapist, a story of love and betrayal, of heartache and hope, featuring three troubled women on a psychiatric ward. <br /> <br /> Dr. Joanna Bereza risks her career and the love of her life when she tries to stop an arrogant psychiatrist from shocking her patients. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3r3jIkQ&h=AT0Xb8O9jXUuswp235IwxlUFeBk9G_8lIDzQYsKRjnNrS2dzWA5YMlYTQMTq4PhInEQcoI-MkMGZVnWpsU6YYM4ANooGbEXCNX2Xcx_jEbO-mJIOAfksOVf1flmfZatQnir8uOTcRYwTvaCCfLTcx5QIvnU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://amzn.to/3r3jIkQ</a> | Diana Stevan | 175 | https://facebook.com/diana.stevan | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55400 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1018960269185158 | 1 | 6.9729204427837E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 117034640163658 | 0 | Sweet Lucy and Friends | 6539092430752 | sweetlucyandfriends.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Sweet Lucy & Friends | Sweet Holiday Gift Ideas 25% OFF ALL Items in Holiday Shop! Online Sale! 25% OFF ALL Items in Holiday Shop! Online Sale! Good Friends are like Snowflakes sent from above, a Magical Treasure to Cherish and Love View fullsize Sweet Lucy View fullsize & Friends! Joanna & Kate / Black Burro Events V... | http://www.sweetlucyandfriends.com/ | 1702939685 | 1.1703464016366E+14 | Sweet Lucy and Friends | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410972331_875789357625679_6902385029460561696_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fz4dF7ISfkIAX8fg73T&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDUtF6JERVb95C0TJcLTGV1G8nJArlNpJGXQ230w28zBw&oe=65889D36 | person_profile | 0 | Sweet Lucy and Friends | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410996944_893160779141480_5125409558605306073_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cZY2pvaq-0wAX8p-ty0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlaoiVrpBunZHJ937k0DRvRTdnEhIVlX-ZmEGFe1gsaQ&oe=6587528C | 0 | 3 | Sweet Holiday Gift Ideas 25% OFF ALL Items in Holiday Shop! | Sweet Lucy and Friends | 222 | https://facebook.com/sweetlucyandfriends | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56514 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970752 | 65 | 1417140739181853 | 8.188272099976E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120201714817350520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250801 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406237676_1003362174071863_1033910792031400060_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0wPZz5t5Rk0AX_FMFls&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgEnRdNNb7a9Bl6fGfT8K0uqgiE2HFD2_uq-zksa6fTg&oe=65892886 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55606 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970753 | 65 | 1823140501440451 | 1 | 3.7112143547265E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205077878510729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702629886 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409793273_270939172640676_4803176305132715513_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=idgRRJoVQjsAX9v7nuj&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAvOsff3_eNd1xqVQgGuv7OzISoUOCDd9J_zZBLmumqSw&oe=6588EAD0 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409197520_1089211205765987_4768412701340728770_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LMl-yR2XMa0AX_QV7Mm&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCC_hoANkHQnuEKkmN3uRLREMbOMGKv56uNhBLG6nkO6w&oe=6588EB7E | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56920 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970753 | 65 | 635172428566905 | 5 | 6.8579776031172E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779358230250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678748 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404275079_681458767299748_350875266989297425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0G9UJq-pK7UAX8mD8lE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBefs_p1pCd27LmV8fu6nc_5nd84y539PjfrL1dSAOsWg&oe=6588E8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56196 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970753 | 65 | 1259951471341245 | 1 | 6.7899636100628E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672498260427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030361 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408993347_1066913831110782_2515210093400816252_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oLShtyIV16AAX9xtyWT&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDYhY3-MvomgiLMDKViWYFpi3ulQ8bGi--5rMcRlCefVA&oe=65883767 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409050166_835813501619041_2625001509811192136_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Oyrn0e8W36QAX_4b5nM&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCLnO7ERWRpvZCbcQRe4ewO-XdTfLISE3vNGgrwN27hFA&oe=6589410A | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56245 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970753 | 65 | 1426977011500240 | 1 | 3.1910190774485E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108524135250933 | 0 | William Helburn | 120201610751790593 | instagram.com | Contact us | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/william_helburn | 1701958669 | 1.0852413525093E+14 | William Helburn | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408827925_1036972077454147_2523756575218510134_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLMdAPKNHKAAX_1ufIq&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6qBgqK0_rcZWBkd8w9fT0cp8k1HY7Z8wwoaxPGKDECA&oe=65884F18 | person_profile | 0 | William Helburn | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408815256_268537562515169_7647519650248139627_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O4VYvk48sboAX_fdOFC&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxDfRr6QCButV89U-nEG8OvnIPYxfm0DQqxD9N0-PpNA&oe=658762F6 | 0 | 3 | Joanna McCormick <br /> Lipstick Bullet 1955<br /> <br /> #williamhelburn<br /> #william_helburn<br /> #joannamccormick<br /> #fashion <br /> #fashionphotography <br /> #retrofashionphotography<br /> #myvintagevogue <br /> #50sfashion <br /> #50sfashionmodel <br /> #harpersbazaar<br /> #harpersbazaarus <br /> #bazaaruk <br /> #vintageglamour<br /> #1950 | William Helburn | 6 | https://facebook.com/WilliamHelburn | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55291 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970753 | 65 | 929341852090858 | 1 | 1.0494565830244E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 411049642323043 | 0 | Joanna Adams Photography | 120203658326660049 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannaadamsphotos | 1703011538 | 4.1104964232304E+14 | Joanna Adams Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412493019_1068020097673431_2724247926642046703_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P7gBKLlz3_gAX_OSDj9&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBc9tRmJmGgBtWYD0WuWpvm89M3XY5MtPWeS5138kNDgA&oe=65885B88 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA ADAMS - MONTANA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411052941_1304460276926175_5027521137866885591_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nnpU3c3-o_8AX-Xtj2G&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCmPnTizuEZzMqwUj5L5nX6_2YHjEB6KuvIhMrJKXkvuA&oe=65888992 | 0 | 3 | Love this family! 🏔️ 🌅 things don’t always go as planned but they show up with the best attitudes for their yearly holiday photo tradition! <br /> .<br /> #montanafamily #montanafamilyphotographer #montana #montanacolors #406 #boldemotionalcolorful #momtogcommunity #lensloveandbeyond #storyteller #adventurousstorytellers | Joanna Adams Photography | 915 | https://facebook.com/joannaadamsphotography | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56337 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 7:45 AM | 1703105779 | 1743252320 | 65 | 1296327487739851 | 2 | 3.4180546501824E+14 | 1701849600 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103853802465022 | 0 | andreas_bianchera | 120201987186370745 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/andreas_bianchera | 1701782081 | 1.0385380246502E+14 | andreas_bianchera | https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/364317171_2607357226081462_8781464236825460098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=51IgedqODSEAX8jWxvp&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfCilDuXeWmRqVMaHLcFVLilwAORSYWnrIepqeXcGn0pbA&oe=6588C4CA | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Andrea Bianchera | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408101696_1107040906973924_376098984915591802_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nl3qEYkvDKIAX97n8dv&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBn-CsTMNsIcDrVyHDLdGROLtohuGlVkYHOrrFVgCZQ5w&oe=65887A55 | 0 | 3 | …tutto il Bene del Mondo… #joanna #shnauzernano #shnauzerbianco #shnauzernanobianco #doglover #mydog #love | andreas_bianchera | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/andreas_bianchera | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55611 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970753 | 65 | 317286601221144 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114513601736584 | 0 | Ancient Narratives Now | 120202810841760518 | pastchronicles.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.pastchronicles.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567141 | 1.1451360173658E+14 | Ancient Narratives Now | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411065429_103489176192940_4897880234610555786_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c04bOp2lKagAX9iUgcF&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAy809XVM7XAEZTVCPaDRffBi88c9ApjzmKb6N-zcNQ_Q&oe=6588E6D2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Ancient Narratives Now | 32 | https://facebook.com/100095812980076 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56718 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970753 | 65 | 367585869101718 | 1 | 1.3953987813867E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120203184899770409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700944947 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405796908_718816219783255_1092913973457179681_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cERh03wj-VcAX_O2E7L&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAxRGEHelKVu-f9lVAV7FQYrXLVU_5Kinkub4Rxu98ruw&oe=65875FA0 | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403725532_246610054841239_5432169989273583235_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hql-ZMIyuMoAX_pYoaq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCtNrvklL6Vxikc8guMXzOWtZmZ35MhrvAfXPOse0qS6g&oe=6588ED40 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55408 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970753 | 65 | 279286918059825 | 1 | 3.3931096547662E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104283046272649 | 0 | Solid Sound Festival | 120202684199450677 | linkin.bio | Learn more | NONE | image | https://linkin.bio/ig-solidsoundfest | 1702926248 | 1.0428304627265E+14 | Solid Sound Festival | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411146034_296997479429585_3500915945314868164_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PzKea14PW6sAX_Wy_WR&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBEEwejjA9FoGIP2P-OhqGkWYoWcwv-frHNefM7dnTvKg&oe=6588DB83 | person_profile | 0 | Solid Sound | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412316013_902620508188788_7908193305379572795_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YZL2w8ApeYYAX-NNzMR&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCuz1FTAfZcd-hXNNB9CjnkJP9XJjQVGvNi0535R1q3uw&oe=65888C0A | 0 | 3 | The Solid Sound 2024 line up is here!!!!! <br /> <br /> June 28-30 we'll be back at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA with Wilco, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Iris Dement, Dry Cleaning, Hailu Mergia, John Hodgman's Comedy Cabaret, Jeff Tweedy, Story Pirates, Fenne Lily, Wednesday, Horsegirl, Ratboys, Joanna Sternberg, Mary Halvorson and Tomas Fujiwara, Young@Heart, Mikaela Davis, Soul Glo, Horse Lords, Song Exploder with Hrishikesh Hirway, Young Fresh Fellows, Saccata Quartet, Water From Your Eyes, Courtney Marie Andrews, Autumn Defense, Mikael Jorgensen, DJ sets from Slyvan Esso and SO MUCH MORE!!<br /> <br /> <br /> Get Tickets: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsolidsound.frontgatetickets.com%2F&h=AT1tNc_7mRnZHK2I2jBNmUtp5mjOEs8B52FVjeHxT-6ja27be8D-STCVuVtPKA0utQbat-hD1kyxGdHl7l1ULXR1dEFw9m_oH5hW0YQ--86JnfRbPs8l6FWFlYlbhjFPRhQR86kIkLvrT45xE8OesAfZo-M" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/</a> | Solid Sound Festival | 16345 | https://facebook.com/solidsoundfestival | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56518 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970753 | 65 | 1098411901590186 | 2 | 1.6770116560793E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103144986091260 | 0 | CMG Daily-Choices US | 120201714799950520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250783 | 1.0314498609126E+14 | CMG Daily-Choices US | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406100759_732040505014048_1066743151974080284_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qm412zQZiDAAX8csv4j&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBA8dglVsaWxRij7OmihSMBhSR1POpGOmXdinY6Banclg&oe=65878A99 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Daily-Choices US | 98 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailychoices.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55331 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970753 | 65 | 274908291870278 | 1 | 3.1867687106442E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 107990975681655 | 0 | Family Gift B2 | 120203902310240568 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-y1 | 1702974561 | 1.0799097568166E+14 | Family Gift B2 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412297471_275166351844140_1580177599771270861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fgUAIu1VNFwAX9D_PVK&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7UPouf1TPuujpvFGSEeXM-WjTMwb9Vh_dOODwnc78Zg&oe=65879161 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3PozQGVsG-CXHX-VGbaJK7cZMboIF5omQ1FDESxc0X01626Kk7sRBUTgHoZw4PEkEz4IRccS_yI7Bn2xU_sbKVf05ODHrcDkjBiWuc1hJvHeYITJcYQOHNGpw15X3gGWs-TZkoZRVV9Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift B2 | 24 | https://facebook.com/100094095135666 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55852 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970754 | 65 | 198584163314275 | 1 | 1.4836345357521E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434460710465 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447461 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410575619_1549424445797746_1173101590695672602_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LWuJZSIuCZYAX8C42aQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCLxZufx7kG02rtNGtL2I7tBfzKFtV_tu9wmkEhBdOJ5w&oe=65883808 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410351312_1093332808277390_4813531435938121383_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=felXy06qIKMAX9K-AJF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC9K-JfSObvAESoqfWC_DcmwoOud2SeGdIIqFIL0btdig&oe=6588BDAD | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56821 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970754 | 65 | 1457336441493764 | 1 | 3.494057510098E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120202103650250704 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700772130 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405769685_879749280227198_3589448597782039386_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=82GDdO16qsMAX_cSW5p&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDoiPoHvVVpqPXy-nS8wT8G7jsyxcr0Y-ql-spZR1iTxw&oe=658749F3 | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405538708_2012658265759643_2051948828705593672_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cv9TzTct9loAX8khlaf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVduCid3L7Cr21ZgpdyRbIKLLgHEDW0_3PSPxnBSrubw&oe=6588DD01 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56075 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970754 | 65 | 3641491129507538 | 1 | 1.5740195031524E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 624558840915236 | 0 | Birdy Boutique & Fundraiser Blankets | 120202185581710504 | NONE | video | 1702266501 | 6.2455884091524E+14 | Birdy Boutique & Fundraiser Blankets | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408902656_2213236802401367_18785751668118862_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pYlAIvYaCqUAX_VTRu7&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBriXMk5K1yymrpPKj2zXLRDihLx5BIB6VeiYgwuVNwPQ&oe=65892FD5 | person_profile | 0 | Birdy Boutique | Fundraiser Blankets | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408869674_735588541844715_8599280463705592748_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qBLdcx7dp7wAX_pUKtN&_nc_oc=AQma8_CjQHlpNtWNb3TTr-KkzpxEBEIgkbe3j3CkreHcVTDXWJ7Ssnngon0NvO2xqYI&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAUKI-36ymnJZdzLNN-ZraVEc_nmx52v3sLebBOhf3lMQ&oe=6587BC11 | 0 | 3 | 💥🎥💥 We are stepping into the spotlight on Season 11 of START UP on PBS, a four-time Emmy-nominated show! Our Fundraiser Blankets team has worked tirelessly to impact thousands of students nationwide!! We are grateful and proud of what us sisters have built, with the support of our community, and excited to share our little story of how we started with the world.<br /> <br /> If you haven't tuned in to StartUpUSA yet, you will be hooked as every business tale narrates a profound journey of challenges, triumphs, and a unique peek behind the scenes of what it takes to spark an idea and transform it into a business! It's the daily dose of inspiration that keeps entrepreneurs like us going strong.<br /> <br /> Full episode link in the comments!<br /> <br /> #fundraiserblankets #schoolfundraiser #FundraisingIdeas #schoolfundraiserideas #womenfounders #startupusa | Birdy Boutique & Fundraiser Blankets | 6969 | https://facebook.com/ShopBirdyBoutique | 0 | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56779 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 8:57 AM | 1703105784 | 1746799028 | 65 | 878132753617579 | 1 | 1.7036319801553E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220435630404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582528 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404396967_7337840226260438_4049755920724035499_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cYvy-8FNxCMAX9V-yfk&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCcupGoQ4-Q45E4ca6G4lfifx9mHB8_mlAGV78WqAX_Ig&oe=658808CA | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404270913_679423837317960_4435853124083871690_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wa8gIDIGMWIAX9SDhkn&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD7HJILtFPMjPZ2VByqpsy9I06RdX2FEFr_RVub2LkMhA&oe=6589192F | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55389 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970754 | 65 | 371723561998674 | 1 | 9.0476481791787E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101064482556554 | 0 | Dvi Stories | 120204060895460327 | ourfunnylittlesite.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://ourfunnylittlesite.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702954282 | 1.0106448255655E+14 | Dvi Stories | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412263086_1499419807520941_4784620941602366793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l8IggtGcNeQAX9eYPzs&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfASEYTkeqOuyy_iwRZtxwccU6DDL_8oWsfqk9hsXPwC9A&oe=6587675E | person_profile | 0 | Dvi Stories | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412396536_1562004324583861_7532505844937924792_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jleMhavbYWQAX9gxOYt&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB1PKC_eVWTiRtGOEslhasWhaCeFtfBFArOXFEDp-BaYg&oe=65879CB6 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Dvi Stories | 25 | https://facebook.com/100081666070256 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56071 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970754 | 65 | 924486135762240 | 2 | 3.5398860056005E+14 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202763397940520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Trouble in Chip and Joanna Gaines paradise | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702282579 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409560517_287365630929889_6012791952257151047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a88Lq3pvEKAAX916gFT&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZfmY_2Jjnc0RxvRTUsn_zoUepA7yi4CFOjhm7WscoMA&oe=65890EDA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55830 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970754 | 65 | 168789162960328 | 1 | 1.4888638950037E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411488250044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458525 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409814808_7309448492407315_2832769841936864151_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4I7PAnTNDn8AX99rTq_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCX9GBSP9itKPgiZphLL1txal2BMnKqt-4wKNey6G0SWQ&oe=65891684 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409176046_1104267817431201_5370607716582144184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_Yg1cxQRJXYAX8hwOsW&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBKcCZB-md4N-Q7CXLZJ5FoO9g6R2I6rboRJJzPiziK2g&oe=658882A3 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55763 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970754 | 65 | 742287717748353 | 7.013065186452E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548087409 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410776942_987913738972869_7540207431594672771_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kQdrs_oyWM0AX_1HrSe&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDjxAKXkoPu1iEcoTpRDTZ2tDvsTTWO6MYITdjhOwTlxA&oe=65890B59 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410757209_1510673816378322_3152330884656224042_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LmSpN0YvkncAX_Zeidv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8IjjvSOLYTCm7T76bSMbBhrl1rguNJcAru_G8zHLjhA&oe=6588CB84 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56419 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970755 | 65 | 1977187826001053 | 4 | 6.5157521705526E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6435441794 | 0 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 6479027441725 | stjude.org | Donate now | NONE | video | Join Chip and Joanna | https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N575301.1960500FACEBOOKAD/B26074128.371400830;dc_trk_aid=562516720;dc_trk_cid=205857637;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;ltd=;dc_tdv=1 | 1701445390 | 6435441794 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407387751_760933252514246_5451717343278586119_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MQ-9az82_C8AX-Xjs8w&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfD9P4ydJM0eAfJEAiyfAfHC__h2n0zv0KYCCLafkydxZg&oe=65888418 | person_profile | 0 | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407387637_669716455223687_150971249110251015_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mxknHspkLLAAX-bSBm3&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfA6_mxM3lAsnhRI59T3k-91FLKio8jfb1gi0kHxS_2-FA&oe=65878EF6 | 0 | 3 | The best gifts keep giving. Donate to help the kids of St. Jude today. | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 2821917 | https://facebook.com/stjude | 0 | DONATE_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56195 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970755 | 65 | 354624180480565 | 3 | 1.0813951533077E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672498950427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030341 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408459856_710235574130847_4531124904669129102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jb2Wp9FXm3oAX92HOPc&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfBzzWkqL34qBFSyDXEqDonV5ZIFyHzpyE3OIhjSjgDuGg&oe=658842CA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409366284_1334643220589558_5886112847017649174_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-P0C2NMZyJQAX94xsdW&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDA4eZ8463ab6DwMHkz77eMwWkRJTqRRmapUDYINBgK-w&oe=658780DC | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55363 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970755 | 65 | 793684382519106 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55300 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970755 | 65 | 1491230791450267 | 2.5441264411326E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108401345691237 | 0 | JoyReels | 120204142261490210 | publicity.joyreels.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Love Born From A Contract | https://publicity.joyreels.com/?channel=facebook&link_id=742&ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702954481 | 1.0840134569124E+14 | JoyReels | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412470388_382872387645934_146692055046337200_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tX0dFs5LsY8AX-rQjRp&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDZEsIoS4npMUOUFVH__0vSO4_3QTrHzHIMBdFKF_NskA&oe=6587CD3C | person_profile | 0 | JoyReels | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412405433_24407307795550417_6213771547481797960_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3wzhJLbs1GIAX8dag5X&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCy4s-hLRIa9az5PaD93LmZdAuVpJPy8A_Qx0SPzidHFA&oe=6589145D | 0 | 3 | Please don't stop! She begs as I crawl on top of her. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively and I could feel a strong heat between my legs... I'm about to lose it...<br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> It's really good, I couldn't stop watching it in one sitting, it's worth watching many times!Love Born From A Contract | JoyReels | 81 | https://facebook.com/61550637441013 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55237 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970755 | 65 | 1429897601216422 | 1 | 3.649767793966E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 505582332845919 | 0 | Joanna Galant Photography | 120201848659960168 | joannagalant.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Contact Me Today! | 321-466-9323 or click to learn more | https://www.joannagalant.com/ | 1701971889 | 5.0558233284592E+14 | Joanna Galant Photography | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408027459_368534298894654_2299967014260476098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6eCSFJwwiFIAX_GzYD5&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfARn02vOe3RvkE1va3xqqFKobAPhY8huW2pY0mlkSGElg&oe=65893981 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Galant | Family and Kids Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407947073_1019661419258376_4222974164618522599_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zSetmXpsO2UAX-B3uWx&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCqVv5Mw5bemVh-FBOYb3DMI-NUqiUQhHzgL7mZUGLZRQ&oe=6587A8AB | 0 | 3 | We bring a unique and creative perspective to photography. Capture the beauty of your family through my lens! | Joanna Galant Photography | 6758 | https://facebook.com/joannagalantphotography | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55341 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/19/24, 11:05 PM | 1703105769 | 1724126757 | 65 | 327684990051854 | 1 | 1.0444382268364E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104736784889363 | 0 | Excellent Town | 120203393836690760 | excellenttown.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://excellenttown.com/the-biggest-unsolved-mysteries-in-2023-is/ | 1702966169 | 1.0473678488936E+14 | Excellent Town | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412357157_326381963614953_7859036348233981782_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GlH9cXVjSCoAX86mbSw&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAHX8vGcCpJ9Wcsv4Bt2FVkKPmzbJE1tmVBvc3XDauJlg&oe=6588CA53 | person_profile | 0 | Excellent Town | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412402878_1072915814145211_1658105098709537058_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bEt_7OqM1hQAX_KrZKK&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDWgPlksnKnXanuY51m-bx0vGW6BNiTmglAgbAmO-knDg&oe=6588DFB7 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Excellent Town | 65755 | https://facebook.com/100070549320468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56722 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970755 | 65 | 1405044210361858 | 2 | 3.8743572048648E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1987069611516146 | 0 | Les Femmes | 120202417543830300 | No button | NONE | video | 1700917368 | 1.9870696115161E+15 | Les Femmes | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403629561_901080718209379_4275248214818764806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=stJEkNNwv74AX9DiJW6&_nc_oc=AQkZysAChSopZM-o6tKTHxD3jE-V-pa52l8nu4R6JcKAg78HnTDUgfEXHBXLYyV9Oa36SvW125-IvYrs7UObxoqd&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2IJUY0qN6CSPysaBVXeqztzTnO65AYelgHJMNe3UCLA&oe=65892063 | person_profile | 0 | Les Femmes Opera | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405243197_860568052319718_4378437874203989596_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GhBlt8plxasAX-svr3d&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBT_ZoZpl91BYHc8m51C_Ig-ItCNo0Y36gTNu4ixNqd1g&oe=6588EE3B | 0 | 3 | Ś𝔀. 𝘾𝙚𝙘𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙖 dzisiejsza patronka.<br /> <br /> Nasza najnowsza perełeczka ❤️<br /> 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 - 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝙆𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨<br /> Uwielbiamy ten utwór!<br /> <br /> Joanna Sobowiec-Jamioł sopran<br /> Natalia Krajewska-Kitowska sopran<br /> Emilia Osowska - mezzosopran<br /> <br /> audio: Kamil Słowikowski<br /> video: Monika Gut- Jarecka, Grzegorz Ciecierski<br /> live, 08.2023 r. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oblackiecentrum">Oblackie Centrum Edukacji i Kultury</a><br /> <br /> @obserwujący<br /> 🎶 Idą życzenia w świat! 🎶<br /> Życzymy wszystkim znajomym i tym śledzącym nas z ukrycia;-) <br /> Wytchnienia, ukojenia, zanurzenia, eksplozji mocy, podniesienia na duchu, podtrzymania radości...w takt muzyki, którą kochacie 🥰<br /> A naszym kolegom i koleżankom muzykom - kochani, spełniajcie się i niech Wasze muzyczne dzieła wypełnione będą Wami po brzegi. Abyście w pełni mogli się dzielić z innymi swoim niepowtarzalnym "językiem aniołów"...<br /> Muzyka jest nie z tego świata!<br /> <br /> #cecylia #acapella #contemporarymusic #sacredworks #paternoster | Les Femmes | 1733 | https://facebook.com/LesFemmesOpera | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56982 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970755 | 65 | 1566116333792466 | 5 | 1.3699666969605E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201778998720250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677962 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404501919_1399764947592984_5324204061772205548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXFCrrITZpIAX_qUHfB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBgrnsduTU0tF1wJ346Cb5Zt5wbiGIWvdSP3Q7CL9deiQ&oe=65876157 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55968 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970756 | 65 | 240049269100347 | 1 | 7.039458852801E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 520171088019503 | 0 | Liforme | 6572588097464 | NONE | image | 1702382033 | 5.201710880195E+14 | Liforme | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409651061_310809231866259_2489513771072428862_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKT8eCbroUMAX-s6yy9&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBA7eSXHA574a9rI7FkAF3wPkdXYjSmCnndgDronAKhIw&oe=6587DFCA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Looking for the ultimate Yogi gift? 💝<br /> <br /> For a gift as unique as they are, you can design your very own custom Liforme X You Yoga mat using our innovative, first-of-its-kind Yoga Mat customiser. <br /> <br /> Matching custom mats are pretty cute, but you can also go for a Liforme X You gift card and let them pick out the colours, alignment guides, and themes that make up their own perfect mat. <br /> <br /> Treat yourself or a loved one. Personalised Yoga practice awaits! Link in bio! 🛠️<br /> <br /> Sending our love and thanks to @facetka_od_jogi and @iamthecode pictured here on a Liforme x You Custom Yoga mat. Special thanks to @lekko_store and @Joanna.kepa.foto for the beautiful shot! ❤️🙏<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FLiforme.com%2F&h=AT3K6E2MV5HNag4lJbUEKJkBXBz3s0NNms2Tqe-nZzFQbj34BOV9KLKP2AW5mxzOia9Du8acw1QQlJ2HZlrHGy6EtMF-LQ0RvOyuUWHdDBLnkZf4guhPUryZny_zeRx0W84ptVRpk3mZhodQGfjo4zJwcAFBIs3pYNOxyw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">Liforme.com</a> | Liforme | 118723 | https://facebook.com/LiformeYoga | 0 | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55484 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970756 | 65 | 385226290626227 | 1 | 1.4711764934597E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 152194482085369 | 0 | Sea Stone by Joanna | 6548788047544 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/seastonebyjoanna | 1702817919 | 1.5219448208537E+14 | Sea Stone by Joanna | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411067994_734274651915970_3040250594761580801_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RtE536Z0RIwAX8fsnh_&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB6EMj5UXEznbEugsrPvUtaEvARgW0w3j0twb3LtywKRA&oe=65882761 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Castor | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411068627_1472276313344483_8057971518551942232_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CnIa1ARtDXUAX_CYwyS&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpoHOgL-XXVXKnp4vC5GHxmi1ajrM7hc1C6Q0G_XYkrQ&oe=65893C43 | 0 | 3 | Christmas Bells & Wedding Bells, celebrating LOVE with these two gorgeous wedding rings. The lovely Bride already has a gorgeous, matching petrol blue, sea glass engagement ring and the wishbone wedding band sits beautifully underneath. <br /> <br /> The chunky mens wedding band features a hand cut piece of rare blue sea glass which works so well with the silver, hand textured band. <br /> <br /> Both these rings are created from recycled precious metals and sustainably sourced sea glass. <br /> <br /> This is the very last commission to leave my studio before Christmas and it's been a pleasure.<br /> <br /> Tell me what you think in the comments below.<br /> <br /> #weddingjewellery #greenwedding #sustainablefashion #sustainablewedding #ethicallymade #ethicallymadejewellery #seaglasslove #seaglasscollector | Sea Stone by Joanna | 905 | https://facebook.com/seastonebyjoanna | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56986 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 4:53 AM | 1703105786 | 1745574805 | 65 | 1769087300219186 | 4 | 1.1104183366128E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105318458419634 | 0 | Fully Delicious - Images | 120200721278410167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679319 | 1.0531845841963E+14 | Fully Delicious - Images | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404558025_3293112430978708_5909986734546003458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-G2EFL55magAX9r9da5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBo2iRAuUkD2TxgcEa9aw1qwu-nisX5ENMDeL5c3LSV4A&oe=6588DFB9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Fully Delicious - Images | 711 | https://facebook.com/100069380589760 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56795 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970756 | 65 | 257379744006373 | 1 | 3.1090695843152E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107090068642820 | 0 | Book Lovers Hub | 120200815341080645 | dynamic.chereads.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Search <The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>❤️🔥🔥 | https://dynamic.chereads.com/noah-ssg/wn/202303091/27109457006677105+1+4+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1700818606 | 1.0709006864282E+14 | Book Lovers Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404644216_895972025203967_5118173732673179728_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zfvGYLsmCdIAX-zcaSL&_nc_oc=AQmPoHA-a_Ri8Dz-rpmJ90Ae9_2eo2PyNLVsZc6oC0O0M-TPuYXSdoN6GU2MiEoDiKs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfALxqQ5OWeWBNJs4nkQkWVTFn77196OJ9VIrES4icY3dw&oe=6588B059 | person_profile | 0 | Book lovers hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404705614_1475742252997223_9140703689467918518_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f6-ia9gr5e0AX9HY5Kv&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAyulMZ5YIyo9txtSp6y7p_Wq7WS_O4J11SoA_zSNeYNg&oe=6587E510 | 0 | 3 | Manhattan,New York city.<br /> 8:06pm.<br /> In the vip ward of a hospital, a tall silhouette of a man was seated on a cushion. His long legs that were cladded in an expensive Italian shoe, sprawled out, while looking at his neat three piece customized tailored suit he wore, gave off the fact that he was wealthy.<br /> The expensive Rolex watch he wore fitted around his wrist perfectly and gave him an endearing look, on how dripping expensive everything he was wearing was. <br /> Everything about him could only scream one thing. <br /> Money! <br /> Power! <br /> Dominance!<br /> The cold look on his face as he tried hard to not lose his temper, made him surprised because he knew that he didn't have such self control right now, not for the situation at hand that had landed him here late at night in Weill Cornell medical center.<br /> It gave off the notice to the gossiping lips of the female nurses, who couldn't help but keep his name out of their lips, as every now and then, he could hear them outside the ward, as he had his mind prepared about the news that would probably be scrolling around the news headlines about him by now.<br /> Well, it wasn't everyday that someone of such high social caliber, would grace the hospital, especially at this time of the night that it was rare to see such a man, with the exception that he wasn't here because he was injured, nor needed to see the doctor.<br /> But rather, he was here because of the young lady that was sleeping on the hospital bed, a few meters away from where he sat. It was appalling that he sat and watched her sleep, the way a lover would do to the loved ones, while hoping that they get better.<br /> But no! The woman in front of him was not his lover, nor a family member that would warrant that he gives her such attention. One that anyone who knew him better, would confess that he wasn't a man who had such a loving heart, but just like they always say, there's a first time for everything.<br /> As he wanted for her to wake up, he could slowly feel his patience running off and all he wanted to do was to jerk her up, and have her repeat what exactly was the significant conversation that had brought them both here.<br /> "Sir?" Leo, his personal assistant called for his attention, and for the first time he looked away from the red hair who was sleeping soundly, towards him, his face showing how annoyed he was, for him to interrupt his thoughts.<br /> But he had to remind himself that Leo was one of his trusted men, and the only one who could put up with a jerk like him, so he snapped at him, arrogantly.<br /> "What? Don't tell me that mother is not feeling okay, I have a lot on my table right now,Leo." He said, his cold green eyes searching Leo's own for the affirmation that he had settled everything, that brought them out here before coming over here.<br /> "That's not the point,sir. Unfortunately your grandfather has been notified about the situation." <br /> It was like a bee stung him, when he heard Leo tell him that his grandfather knows about the woman lying on the bed, and he wasted no time standing up, pushed him to the wall before grabbing him by his throat.<br /> "Who told him about her? I had everything covered, how did it get to that old snake?"He roared, but the door had to open at that moment and the doctor in charge of the young woman chose this ungodly hour to walk in.<br /> It made him move away from Leo but not without his eyes, threatening to kill him if he didn't get away from his sight, before he snapped at the doctor, he was done waiting.<br /> "I must say doctor, I am a man of little patience, but now it seems to me that you think this is a joke, but if i were you i would do everything in my willpower to wake that woman up right now." The young man pointed at the sleeping lady, it was very evident in the tone he used towards her that he loathed everything that made him be here tonight, but it's not as if he had a choice.<br /> "Actually Mr.Russo, i am afraid i can't release the result of the test without the young lady being involved here too." Dr. Rosalie said, as she looked at the intimidating eyes of Giovanni Russo, the youngest billionaire to top the business world, before then looking at her poor girl, who had no idea what trouble she was in because the young man seemed not to have any intention of being here more than just a night.<br /> But it seemed luck was on his side, because as intimidating as he looked, she couldn't let that fear overrun her instincts to do what's right, because as soon as he was about to say something else, the young lady was up and rubbing at her eyes, before she finally looked at their way.<br /> Marissa Diàz.<br /> That's her name.<br /> Her eyes widened when it fell on Giovanni, and the doctor could finally see what this was all about. But she could do nothing, since Giovanni could wipe her whole existence from the earth and that of her family, thereby she behaved.<br /> "Well, look who finally decide to wake up?" Giovanni said, unamused before he strolled over to where Marissa sat on the bed, his hands itched to strangle her to the wall, and get the truth out of her at a faster pace.<br /> But he reminded himself of the possibility of what she's saying being the truth, and besides a doctor was here after all, so he waited but rather smiled at seeing that she was scared of him.<br /> That's right, darling. You should be scared.<br /> He grinned, before looking at the doctor beckoning the woman to do her thing, to which she walked over to where Marissa sat, with her breath hitching up while she prayed in her heart if there was a god out there to hear her prayers.<br /> "The results are out, Miss Diàz and i guess congratulations are in order." Doctor Rosaline said, and looked at Marissa who touched her stomach and on cue, she smiled at her.<br /> "Congratulations Miss Diàz. You are pregnant."<br /> Chapter Two: Marissa, The Loner And Introvert Is Going To A Party.<br /> "Finally, it's a wrap."<br /> Marissa said with a yawn, as she loosened the apron around her waist, while getting her clothes from her locker room, in a haste to get home to the comfort her bed provided. She needed that desperately since today was a long day, and she couldn't wait to close her eyes even if it's just for two hours.<br /> The young lady worked as a waitress at a famous diner in the city, it was a competitive work in the sense that the popularity the diner had attracted a whole lot of customers, and ofcourse interested workers who wouldn't mind taking up the job at working at 'Malcolm' diner had made the employees over there, to step up in their work of they wanted a place right there.<br /> Marissa Diàz is an orphan, well that was what she told everyone, because considering how terrible her relationship with her mother had gotten over the years, since the death of her father. She ran away from home, to escape an abusive mother who remarried just to curb the loneliness that spranged up at the death of her father.<br /> Marissa didn't have the best life like any other girl out there can boost off, having to fend for herself at the age of sixteen, the daily struggles and battling with depression and loneliness were the only constant things happening in her life.<br /> Whereas the young lady has lost the zeal that there would ever come a time where things would get brighter in her life, just like every other girl out there, Marissa always wished for the Barbie girl lifestyle, but as always it's always a wish that never comes true.<br /> At a point, when she experienced her first heartbreak, when her first boyfriend, Ryan was banging another girl on her bed, in her room. She fell into depression and the zeal to live was gone until she met her,Sasha.<br /> "Boo!" <br /> "Sasha what the hell is wrong with you?" Marissa said, touching her chest to calm her racing heart, as she looked at her side to see her best friend laughing at her scared face.<br /> She does this everything, and she always falls victim to her playful tactics. Marissa got annoyed with her laughter, as the other girls who were present in the changing room were already leaving for the day. She took her bag and flung it at her, but she caught it " You do this every time.''Marissa said with a frustrated grunt.<br /> "And your face gets me everytime, Marie." Sasha said, coming closer as she took her clothes from her hand, while Sasha wrapped her arm around her neck as they both stood in front of the mirror."You look horrible."Sasha confessed.<br /> "This job is draining the life out of me, but i need the job i can't seem to bear the thoughts of going astray one day and Mr.pere…."<br /> Marissa's anxiety about her work took over, and she couldn't help it ,but as always Sasha was in cue to stop her.<br /> "Hey, sweetheart. It's okay, nothing is going to happen okay. You are just being paranoid about this work, you need a break." Sasha suggested, but she looked at her immediately to tell her how impossible what she was asking for wouldn't happen.<br /> "Girl, am just kidding, okay." Sasha laughed, before she relaxed her mind."But i just want to tell you that no matter what happens, I will be here for you Marissa, you have got absolutely nothing to worry about, okay?"<br /> Marissa tried to control her tears, but she wasn't strong like Sasha. Every girl needs a best friend like Sasha. God! She didn't know what she would have done without her.<br /> Sasha didn't really have a pathetic life like her, her family were among the middle rich although she hasn't really gotten to know what exactly her parents do, or the reasons why Sasha works this job with her, the only good reason she got out of her was that she needed a distraction from family problems.<br /> Marissa said nothing but hugged her," what would i do without you?" She asked rhetorically, while Sasha rubbed her back lovely.<br /> But their moment were ruined when the door was swung open, and a<br /> an angry looking Mr.Peters asked from the doorway." Ten minutes more and you get to sleep in here, Marilyn." <br /> "It's Marissa, Mr.Peters, and thanks for the update though."Marissa said with a frown on her face, she watched as he left before getting rid of her uniform. He always gets her name wrong and did she forget to say that Mr.peter hates her?<br /> "So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Sasha asked, a little giddier than she is, and Marissa didn't need anyone to tell her what this was about.<br /> Sasha was a social butterfly, unlike her who would rather spend her free time reading romantic novels, watch binged horror movies and sleep for the rest of the day.<br /> Unlike Sasha, Marissa could say that she hated being around people, she preferred her free time and Sassha was not going to coerce her into leaving her comfort zone, no ..no. it's definitely not happening.<br /> "Oh! Please don't tell me this is what i am thinking about is?" Marissa said, while she took her purse and they were out of the diner.<br /> "Seriously Marissa, you didn't even let me tell you what it is before showing that you are not interested."Sasha complained, giving her puppy eyes so she could give in.<br /> Marissa looked away from her, but she hopped over to where her gaze was." Fine, what is it about?"<br /> "My brother's birthday is on saturday, i got invited, but i don't want to go alone. You know my family and i had been having issues…" Sasha paused, trying to find the right words to express what exactly she wanted to say.<br /> "And you are taking me along for support."Marissa completed her words.<br /> "Yeah, Sweetheart. I heard my elder brother would be present and we aren't the best cliqued brother and sister. So please, Marissa. Come with me, I promise it will be fun." Sasha begged.<br /> "I don't know Sasha, you know party and stuff aren't my thing…"Marissa tried to complain.<br /> "I know sweetheart, I know, but it's time you stop wishing to find the right person by just reading romantic novels, Marissa."<br /> Marissa rolled her eyes when she understood what this was about," I am not dating any of your brothers, Sasha. I am not good with people."<br /> "Don't say that yet, you would love it, Marissa."Sasha clapped her hands, while making a dreamy face. It was evident that she had something planned in mind, but Marissa wasn't prepared for any of her match making plans.<br /> "Yeah, as long as you keep the men away. I'm good."<br /> "So, does it mean you are coming?" Sasha's loud voice was heard, as her overexcitement made the passerby to look at the both of them, earning a cautious look from Marissa.<br /> "Do i look like i have a choice?"The young lady said, and Sasha yelped in excitement, making Marissa worried, because for someone who said that it was her brother's birthday, she's over excited.<br /> She didn't know if that's something to be bothered about, but she had to let her wandering mind rest. She gets worried easily but making going out with Sasha would not be a bad idea..<br /> So yeah, Marissa Diàz, the loner and introvert is going to a party!<br /> Chapter Three: Where Is Giovanni?<br /> New York city.<br /> ~~~<br /> "He's running late again."Edward Russo complained for the third time, to his wife who stood besides him, while trying to keep a happy face while all is not well.<br /> Apparently, they were under pressure seeing that very soon they were going going to take the words of insults thrown to them because of their immature son, Giovanni Rosso, who had refused to be on time for the private services that was being hosted in their hometown by his grandfather, has been an active member for a long time since the death of his wife.<br /> Standing besides a worried Edward Russo, who turned to look at his father engaged in a conversation with an important guest, who was doing a good job keeping his mind away from noticing that Giovanni wasn't here yet.<br /> His ever so lovely wife, Amrita Russo. The first daughter in-law to grace the family and proved her worth to the family both in business, and everything.<br /> She was the apple of the man's eyes, besides her who was trying so much not to show how panicked he was, but right now when she tried to speak up on behalf of her son, she was tackled arrogantly by him.<br /> "Come on, huni. He's probably on his way here, you know how Giovanni is, am sure Leo knows the best thing to do is to make sure he's here by all means." Amrita tried to calm Edward, when it's just for these few minutes that the reporters were busy doing a job to interview everyone present and Giovanni is not here yet.<br /> The last thing that they want right now is another scandal, that would tarnish the image of the Russo corporation. Their son, Giovanni, had made it his primal duty to be on the bad side of the media every single week.<br /> The Russo corporation was among the top five world leading oil mining companies to exist, its original founder Paul Russo was dead, his successor after his son being the man who was the reason they were gathered here today, Christian Russo.<br /> Edward being the first son of the old man, followed by his brother who was not here yet, although he's sure that his father would not miss having his whole family here, on a special occasion like this. The old man would like to invite everyone of his family, just like old times so they could dine like a loving family.<br /> "It better be just like you said, Amrita. Your son has caused me nothing but blatant headaches in the past few months, I have had enough of his immature ass, it's time he sits and assumes his responsibility as the heir to the company." Edward spat, which made her scoff at his words.<br /> "My son? Seriously Edward, you and i both know you also spoiled the boy to the wits, you can't just pin the blame on me when he starts behaving just like how daddy dearest had taught him." Amrita sneered, before looking away from him in anger.<br /> He always does this every time, when Giovanni behaves like the spoiled asshole he was, he would rather she takes the blame than him. But apparently, it was no one's fault that Giovanni was this way he is. The boy was difficult to handle, especially since he came back from the states from his studies.<br /> "Amrita..baby, I'm sorry." Edward tried to apologize, but then they were interrupted by the all familiar car that parked with a screeching sound that attracted everyone's attention over to them.<br /> The both of them didn't need any soothsayer to tell them who it was as the car door was opened by the bodyguard and Micheal, Edward's younger brother stepped out with that ever proud smile on his face.<br /> His wife, Joanna, was dressed to kill! Today was basically all about their grandfather, but she dressed like she was walking down the runway.<br /> Edward couldn't help to control his smile when he saw the annoyance that ran across his father's face seeing her. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one who didn't like the b.it.ch.<br /> The reporters were on cue to start taking pictures of them, until the next car to slide in revealed Diego, the second grandson of the Russo Family, Giovanni's cousin.<br /> "Grandpa." The bubbly one he was, as he wasted no time to run into the embrace of his grandfather, who was all smiles. No matter how bad everyone's dislike his mother, Diego was different and apparently the smile keeper of the family. Grandpa loves him.<br /> "Congratulation father, on your new hospital." Micheal said, moving forward to pay his respect to the old one.<br /> "It's not my hospital, Micheal. It belongs to the public." Christian Russo, replied back as a slight annoyance ran across his face when Joanna's voice was the next to be heard.<br /> "Congratulations, father. You didn't tell us you were back from the states?"Joanna asked as her eyes scanned across the room in the hope of finding the favorite daughter in-law, Amrita.<br /> "Maybe if you had kept in touch just like Amrita did, you would know my schedules, Judith."Christian Russo spoke harshly to her, but no one could interrupt him nor challenge him because they knew better not to do that.<br /> Joanna tried to speak up to correct the old man who didn't know her name, even after twenty years of marriage to his son. But she was held back by Micheal, who grabbed her hand as a sign to shut her up.<br /> He clearly was showing signs of Alzheimer, but no! This was no sickness or whatsoever.She knew that he was doing this in spite to remind her everyday, that she was nothing but a secretary that had seduced her boss, got pregnant and earned her space in the family register.<br /> "I don't see Edward and family, perhaps don't tell me they might have forgotten about your special day, father?" Micheal teased, a wave of happiness running through him until it disappeared when he heard his brother's voice at his back.<br /> "Finally, you all are here." Edward said with a smile, as he watched his brother grit his teeth seeing him and Amrita, until he noticed the absence of Giovanni.<br /> "Since you all are here…." Grandfather tried speaking, until he looked beyond Amrita's back to see that someone was missing.<br /> "Someone is about to be insulted." Joanna's said lowly with a chuckle, but she's sure that Amrita heard her quite alright seeing how pale she was at hearing Grandpa paused during his words.<br /> He turned instantly to look at Edward and Amrita, disappointment clearly written on his face that his favourite grandson was not here, yet and there's a big sign that he wouldn't be.<br /> "The event is about to start." Micheal reminded everyone, a satisfied grin plastered on his face.<br /> "Father, I can explain."Edward moved forward, but the look he gave him made him shut up instantly as he bent his head down in shame.<br /> Grandfather looked away from him and Amrita, towards Micheal and his family." Let's go in." While Edward had to leave with anger emitting off him, with Amrita going after him before he does something he would regret.<br /> The question on everyone's lips, where is Giovanni?<br /> Chapter Four: Narcissist Prince Charming Named Giovanni.<br /> While his parents were taking the insults of their lives at the charity event center, Giovanni Russo was asleep in his room, in between the arms of the girl he had brought home last night.<br /> He sat up with a groan, and pushed the girl away from him when he saw how clingy she was to him. This was what he hated, the ridiculous aftercare after getting what they both wanted.<br /> He's not a fool, Giovanni knew what women see at just one glimpse at him. A money bank, so instead of falling victim a second time, after surviving the first heartbreak from the woman he loved. He had given up on the quest to find love.<br /> His ex,Angela did him good and that changed everything about him. So instead of being the one who ends up getting hurt by the opposite gender, he would rather the girls fight for his attention which no woman on earth would be lucky enough to get once again.<br /> Giovanni Russo, aged twenty four years. The first grandson and heir to the great Christian Russo. A notorious playboy, who would rather spend all his money drinking and changing his girls like clothes, than to take up his responsibility as his father did.<br /> He's arrogant, a total jerk who makes everyone around him see reasons why he's such a loner. But anyway, that's how he wanted his life to be, the only thing he loved was his parents and his money.<br /> Giovanni touched his temple, a groan leaving his lips at the headache that was forming early this morning, while he scanned his eyes around his room insearch of his assistant, Leo, but the motherfxxker was nowhere to be found.<br /> He tried to sit up, but then warm pairs of hands wrapped around his waist, before he felt the body hug him from behind made him remember that he still has someone here with him.<br /> "Good morning, my love. How was your night?" The girl asked, and Goivanni being the douchebag he was, moved away when the stench from her early morning breathe hit his nostrils.<br /> "Your morning breathe didn't make me have a good night rest. Get out!" He said coldly, looking around his room for his phone. He needed to call Leo.<br /> The horrified expression on the girl's face didn't bother him, she should have known her place to talk to him like this wasn't just a one night thing.<br /> When he turned around to see that she's still in the bed, holding the bed sheets up to her chest. He became angry." Hey, didn't you hear me, I said get out. We both had a great night, and this was supposed to be a one night thing. So what else are you still waiting for?" He asked, a prideful smirk on his lips.<br /> "I.." The young woman tried to talk, but she was dumbfounded by the cold and aloof attitude coming from him. It was like she didn't expect that from him, but that's her hurting herself to say that, everyone knew Giovanni Russo.<br /> The biggest playboy in the city, so she was rather sad that she wasn't the lucky one to tell her friends that she had his attention.<br /> A bundle of cash was thrown on the bed, and she looked up to him." That would be enough for your transport, get new clothes and the remaining may keep you from whoring your ass out for the whole week." He said, a sarcastic laugh leaving his tone.<br /> "Hey! That's rude of you to call me a whore, who do you think you are?!" The girl yelled, her dignity has been insulted, and in as much as she was here because of him. She wouldn't allow him to question why she choose to live this way.<br /> How dare him question her life?<br /> Unlike him who had everything, the rich parents, a good life and whatnot. He shouldn't be an asshole to laugh at her face about her bad life.<br /> "Aww, the b.it.ch had got some fire in her." He scoffed, before he added," Now, you would learn to seal your lips, and know when to talk and who to talk to or not. I have low patience for ungrateful girls like you, now get out!" He shouted, this time around with every seriousness that had the girl scurried away for her life, but not without taking the money with her.<br /> He sighed tiredly, as he walked towards his drawer and took an aspirin drowning it down with his drink. Before the front door to his room was swung open and an impatient and worried Leo walked in.<br /> "What's got your panties in a twists, Leo. If this is about work,I am not leaving. I'm just back from the states, you can't listen to every single order from my parents." He said, turning to leave for the bathroom.<br /> "Sir, you didn't remember what today is?" Leo asked him, gulping a lump down his throat when he looked at the wall clock in his room to see how late they were.<br /> His grandfather is going to kill him!<br /> "What do you mean…" Giovanni's words was cut short, by the ringing of his phone behind the couch and he rushed up to see his father calling.<br /> What does he wants?<br /> He thought, but the worst mistake he did was by not asking Leo what was happening, by what he meant about what special thing was happening today, before he accepted the call.<br /> "Dad…"<br /> "GIOVANNI AMIR RUSSO! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!!"Edward shouted over the phone, that made him move the phone away from his ears until he caught on to something.<br /> The music playing behind the background, and his grandfather's voice shouting at his mother. His eyes widened in shock and he cut the call before turning to throw the phone at Leo, who was swift enough to catch it because he always does that.<br /> "Why didn't you tell me that today was that old man's day, you fool!" He cussed, before he ran into the bathroom.<br /> Leo said nothing while he took his time to shower, dress up and leave the house with him following behind him, as they drove down to the event arena.<br /> He was used to his ways, Giovanni was never serious with his life and everyone knew that, everyone including his grandfather, who would probably skin him alive today. He's sure of it.<br /> ------------------------------------------------------<br /> Install our App and search 🔥<The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>🔥 to read more exciting chapters | Book Lovers Hub | 19801 | https://facebook.com/100083240766650 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56453 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/3/25, 11:21 AM | 1703105780 | 1748967712 | 65 | 196233610203113 | 1 | 8.6331330876408E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497703800404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357819 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406649127_380022111116449_347483401878603561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yqwve3I_jk8AX9smnuE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAYsZt0b9qtdwFzyq7B9iaGG5odSZMGOhzV4QQJmJzeyA&oe=6587F608 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406642127_943686430420717_1009255948815044601_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ZI8OckuRA0AX_aA0IM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnCGmjpiFFg9mznhYrzu4Ha6njo2LrjXLpyRWclVlA2Q&oe=65876251 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56793 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970758 | 65 | 3420850348212592 | 1 | 6.4817656750527E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1987069611516146 | 0 | Les Femmes | 120202397571940300 | NONE | video | 1700828444 | 1.9870696115161E+15 | Les Femmes | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403621802_339857481977900_4468443214681371301_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aCk4XDVl0ZcAX87opO1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3d1BhcJcLm6q39LUEaJ1NVPvBWKZUaQ5LR1uOOTYTLw&oe=65882FBD | person_profile | 0 | Les Femmes Opera | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403679925_1045653343372258_4912870556510771613_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xYUMtOwCZgwAX8H4woN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfV0Rc-W7FlDT1yD8wmA5hSWqn8mRMGg5RX1-ZIvrb7g&oe=6587AE7D | 0 | 3 | Ś𝔀. 𝘾𝙚𝙘𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙖 dzisiejsza patronka.<br /> <br /> Nasza najnowsza perełeczka ❤️<br /> 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 - 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝙆𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨<br /> Uwielbiamy ten utwór!<br /> <br /> Joanna Sobowiec-Jamioł sopran<br /> Natalia Krajewska-Kitowska sopran<br /> Emilia Osowska - mezzosopran<br /> <br /> audio: Kamil Słowikowski<br /> video: Monika Gut- Jarecka, Grzegorz Ciecierski<br /> live, 08.2023 r. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oblackiecentrum">Oblackie Centrum Edukacji i Kultury</a><br /> <br /> @obserwujący<br /> 🎶 Idą życzenia w świat! 🎶<br /> Życzymy wszystkim znajomym i tym śledzącym nas z ukrycia;-) <br /> Wytchnienia, ukojenia, zanurzenia, eksplozji mocy, podniesienia na duchu, podtrzymania radości...w takt muzyki, którą kochacie 🥰<br /> A naszym kolegom i koleżankom muzykom - kochani, spełniajcie się i niech Wasze muzyczne dzieła wypełnione będą Wami po brzegi. Abyście w pełni mogli się dzielić z innymi swoim niepowtarzalnym "językiem aniołów"...<br /> Muzyka jest nie z tego świata!<br /> <br /> #cecylia #acapella #contemporarymusic #sacredworks #paternoster | Les Femmes | 1733 | https://facebook.com/LesFemmesOpera | 0 | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56204 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 10:32 AM | 1703105778 | 1746545558 | 65 | 762592045705124 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074058840476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015927 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408030928_307237358946920_467226127635026322_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Im-9xcN_S9wAX-ISmlO&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfBDfG0tMiqVu5PdyZz9k-HTHa64ougLepKSWgpK9MwVYQ&oe=65882CF9 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407815641_1014478346321130_3515741787699495230_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Exh_S_Hf1bMAX9y6BRx&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfAMrv01-Ff_Fr_dNVYztb_VyDQMOku5o4O3m7vEvwBLjA&oe=6587AF4A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56425 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/5/25, 10:49 PM | 1703105780 | 1751773764 | 65 | 1069360964251497 | 1 | 9.0603646125600E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200878835770773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701423614 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406803125_1727822671037028_5630151050055758270_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uAwFxszUpwcAX9LdHed&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCphNDoNl5Lxq3I9mixd8PSpdsCnWGZP-eVE7t5iRCTOQ&oe=65893678 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406759127_893647212345981_8692848972702400176_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E6wv_Hh4dOUAX_MP4eQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDFVDETDDeE5tr8ukIGYtj1SMHLGtcGFVEltJl9YATODw&oe=65892355 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55795 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970761 | 65 | 369312238923478 | 1 | 1.4072323568668E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109154754712420 | 0 | Invity | 120201021449290369 | myinvity.com | Shop now | NONE | image | NEW! Youth Activating Exfoliating Serum | A scientifically formulated, gentle leave-on exfoliating serum that combines moisturising and pore-minimising benefits of botanical actives to achieve a blemish-free, smoother complexion. | https://myinvity.com/youth-activating-exfoliating-serum/ | 1698657538 | 1.0915475471242E+14 | Invity | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/397374585_5093122000811838_8380488163430949951_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lkyWEGqiw6UAX_H6JEN&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB1bdcspmoN0uhs_l1bQZM5v1FEea8Ba2co_Ydrd0HHig&oe=658836CF | person_profile | 0 | INVITY | Anti-Ageing Skincare & Supplements | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/397464371_669633081724896_8277154469749280811_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mnpaGgogTN0AX_P0Gmu&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAqNpkZUnKm2OQ8pyEqtpMboe8rcLB5TyeeZ0On85lmtA&oe=6588FCFE | 0 | 3 | Tired of endless skincare routines? Meet our leave-on exfoliating serum, carefully crafted with the power of nature and science. <br /> <br /> • Say goodbye to dull skin! Our serum provides long-term exfoliation, unveiling a clearer and brighter you.<br /> • Banish excess shine! We've got sebum production under control and those pesky pores unclogged.<br /> • Texture trouble? No more! Our serum leaves your skin smoother and prepped for all your favorite skincare products.<br /> <br /> Elevate your skincare game and glow like never before. Your dream complexion is just a serum away. Try it today! | Invity | 4460 | https://facebook.com/myinvity | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55310 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/20/24, 3:25 AM | 1703105768 | 1724142338 | 65 | 873386897906135 | 1 | 8.0090838850745E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 106963754939524 | 0 | Georgia School of Theology | 6531135708431 | fb.com | Visit Profile | NONE | image | www.fb.com | http://www.fb.com/100069434552069 | 1702993148 | 1.0696375493952E+14 | Georgia School of Theology | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411502290_1794776707620371_1519335801566575591_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f89rucKJavoAX80Hr7R&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCpOjUj6E5v_MkKMIJF-jI8Pumb14ujYL-S3zlbGbYTug&oe=65882A9D | person_profile | 0 | Georgia School of Theology | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412317902_324678037073867_6271647971616707247_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zrNcqgZJaNMAX_MgeUh&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfALv4ueLb3Z6mZ4eGEcWlCBe-8vicwwc9RMAWwkm-oMow&oe=6587EC1E | 0 | 3 | Sound, Scholarly, & Servant Education, Enabling Men to Minister 4-Life | Georgia School of Theology | 596 | https://facebook.com/georgiaschooloftheology | 0 | VISIT_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55330 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970762 | 65 | 1027966948491563 | 1 | 1.3456836396457E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202473306720743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702975813 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410000447_1059022068765068_1067591605929920498_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vDlo8SmjEBoAX81oTJJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_fOhIlspsHfS1FXQKDf78BDB9aDGsATYyaemDAxl1dA&oe=6587F593 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410012690_1019882445748911_125369922221432771_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SUoNXXPnlD8AX-g-ixD&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD-EwVdmzmwgD5dATiIxtNzEVhG6iFJ6pBQJeAxkrTRkg&oe=658786B4 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55328 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970762 | 65 | 886440813117270 | 1 | 7.1715811036632E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475363990743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976636 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412409142_1095848965110904_5915987851888466508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=giL6Cj0rhGwAX-4tULL&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBrUKNANniv9IXvDnUfkGDJ5_6Uv5VkIFG_Qz9FtgxWFQ&oe=658936F8 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412371063_1330249167695060_2658743964258952387_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mi9xIAjVmyAAX89jaRG&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCc87ECcCoUGi8VJVCxU5dJgsGA3z97HqR8d2ZA4pi33g&oe=658927B0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55335 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 1385102779070535 | 1 | 1.0983009715247E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207260710160777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | image | The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702966501 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412303870_833018251912752_4213623198981949084_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TR0Tm6QgfEYAX9I8vxM&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBUSzc69SIMTgTz18KWiCL7_A4526_GcQ0qN93Zz8dMEQ&oe=6587A812 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412275485_910850437063798_5609043978214230688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=df-BpODDiecAX-F5NfT&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDvJgkXXt308VNpIH2wjJOAeWz4GSZxGSi0BSwkQcjZAQ&oe=65884F54 | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55346 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 1107454757096518 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX9cwQWs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05FTWn1zLnUezV4SXE5rPEtweCSXAPbbSzNDzu5DtA&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55345 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 391265233332087 | 16 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX9cwQWs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05FTWn1zLnUezV4SXE5rPEtweCSXAPbbSzNDzu5DtA&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55351 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 329739116490266 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55354 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 1151215892511755 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX9cwQWs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05FTWn1zLnUezV4SXE5rPEtweCSXAPbbSzNDzu5DtA&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55353 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 374542108401361 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55352 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970762 | 65 | 893373289242364 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55366 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/24/24, 9:11 AM | 1703105769 | 1724508684 | 65 | 1135128977900296 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55398 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970763 | 65 | 1657993938064730 | 1 | 1.38116659612E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118476251350101 | 0 | Joanna Hartmann Photography | 120203521523210396 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannahartmann.photo | 1702941260 | 1.184762513501E+14 | Joanna Hartmann Photography | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412585493_269691209435603_5326098144927470532_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PViNNTkOCncAX-qXs7I&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLZYG5x55sECgFegknn3jK7A8x4aXCYh8WHHyHKsf-Ig&oe=65886771 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Hartmann Photography L.L.C | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411420976_658315433048817_5767474697901266389_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AaQ0R5N2nxYAX_PSdfY&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB6DEvMEURlklQGBORqBrWtR6jaRqGXju6oFtw40jcUXg&oe=6588E812 | 0 | 3 | ✨✨GIVEAWAY TIMEEEE!!!✨✨<br /> <br /> I’m doing a giveaway for 3 lucky couples! <br /> <br /> This is for the couples getting married in 2024/2025 that need engagement photos done or the couple that just needs some TLC and photos to go along with it! Not a couple? No problem, win this for a friend! It will make the perfect Christmas gift 🫶🏽<br /> <br /> First prize winner will receive :<br /> -One Hour Couples Session <br /> -$50.00 Gift Card to Crate&Barrel<br /> -$30.00 Gift Card to lululemon<br /> -$20.00 Gift Card to Starbucks<br /> <br /> Second & Third prize winners will receive:<br /> -One Hour Couples Session<br /> -$25.00 Gift Card to lululemon<br /> -$15.00 Gift Card to Starbucks<br /> <br /> RULES✨:<br /> 1. LIKE THIS POST! <br /> 2. Post this on your story + tag me in it! (Dm me a screenshot for those who have private profiles!)<br /> 3. Must be following me! <br /> 4. Tag a minimum of 5 friends! (Every extra friend you tag is an extra chance to win + you can enter daily!)<br /> <br /> Winners will be announced on a separate post/mentioned in my story on December 23,2023!! <br /> <br /> Good luck yall 🫶🏽✨<br /> <br /> #christmasgiveaway #couplessession #engagementsession #engagementsessiongiveaway #endofyeargiveaway #newyearsgiveaway #giveaway2023 #engagementsessionphotography #californiaphotographer #centralvalleyphotographer #orangecountyphotographer #sandiegophotographer #montereyphotographer #yosemitephotographer #fresnophotographer#lemoorephotographer #hanfordphotographer #visaliaphotographer #couplessessiongiveaway | Joanna Hartmann Photography | 55 | https://facebook.com/61551105442105 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55401 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970763 | 65 | 1748961885592291 | 1 | 1.0963527082219E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1598210863727191 | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 6519995584912 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapilarczyk | 1702935200 | 1.5982108637272E+15 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412389322_1043653016848570_8562043108930365140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fGUE9LbGb5oAX-At2lQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBhHagbEHrvgfREkE9mAt89wy6TCmBd3TtpSc0JI3moMQ&oe=65889D56 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412415300_766420005466412_5910629583083003572_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W4WJ_j2eoHsAX9yO7ke&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwU40Y8anjIA3zUYX8AuNjRMeFq0REtWhHR35ijYnCmQ&oe=6587CD76 | 0 | 3 | 'Boy in Orange Shirt', a small painting (30 x 30cm), is included in the 'New This Week' collection by @saatchiart Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson, who has curated 100 new artworks—from painting to sculpture—to captivate the senses. Immerse yourself in artistic delights.<br /> <br /> View my Saatchi Art profile via the link in my BIO.<br /> See the collection: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saatchiart.com%2Fart-collection%2FNew-This-Week-12-18-2023%2F153961%2F778233%2Fview&h=AT3ykehCCHCoqh1vzTcCL_qMB6C6Rs9mrJczaLkXWiivYVll6LqgfIa5uBnD4AUSXkeusylok89GrthIfh4e6lc5Huhht_aTUD2-rVRpPoDWaqb_MqXbKZjXRT7u07W2hhhwt5saouez3sgtcB4bWw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.saatchiart.com/art-collection/New-This-Week-12-18-2023/153961/778233/view</a><br /> <br /> #smallpaintings #newthisweek #saatchiart #BoyInOrangeShirt #oilandacryliconcanvas #portraitpainter #contemporaryfigurativeart #saatchiartartist | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 915 | https://facebook.com/JoannaPilarczykArt | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55441 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/17/24, 10:45 PM | 1703105769 | 1731905101 | 65 | 369602248769245 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120205002907040655 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702879828 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412363272_956996709097634_8207400266307750522_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vtiivm5rL5gAX_juJZQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA780OfESXx4Pi7ZM4bIkzIUFCWSaZJNassWT7FwjLSFA&oe=6587BE06 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55446 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970763 | 65 | 887163873021675 | 1 | 8.7316516120347E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 762277677176014 | 0 | Better Reading | 6529006955874 | Listen now | NONE | image | https://www.betterreading.com.au/podcast/podcast-joanna-nell-on-retirement-and-ageing-gracefully/ | 1702862089 | 7.6227767717601E+14 | Better Reading | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412231864_286067420629108_207589206039994168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I1dbmIkabu8AX-0YmHk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBKFK9TqJGE5qgWupOKxVtiixXkyfQE9kuCMm8shYQ6EA&oe=6588C789 | person_profile | 0 | Better Reading | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412202794_241781745469631_4290024529089146850_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sjrw4Wm-7noAX8GWkel&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDDFiz8pGYrLTfc-6cdeDRj6xOS8a3M5cZJdagHBjKb9g&oe=65885B1E | 0 | 3 | PODCAST:<br /> Joanna Nell talks to Cheryl Akle about her experience working as a GP, ageing gracefully and preparing for retirement. Her latest novel, Mrs Winterbottom Takes A Gap Year, is out now.<br /> Listen here: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F57dch68e&h=AT0XpVqmqis58jaTpK35XO5M4EVzUchBhF8TOSa_pXJM4_rTZww006xKyvj2_rqwg4w-oVS35kdfTCeXYeCo3h-Euj9vPdeVLP0MmhDmg-gA9yEDY6K8UQtuq0b9SxYB1cggXr_Hil_SyBNPP2Dx0iNLtmU" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">tinyurl.com/57dch68e</a> | Better Reading | 374415 | https://facebook.com/BetterReadingAu | 0 | LISTEN_NOW | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55451 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/12/25, 5:24 PM | 1703105770 | 1736702647 | 65 | 891379632569380 | 1 | 3.9258765645212E+14 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 116548504780200 | 0 | psychic_joanna1 | 120202996061410675 | instagram.com | Contact us | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/psychic_joanna1 | 1702865846 | 1.165485047802E+14 | psychic_joanna1 | https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/367574408_1045753486837213_8112517805611838718_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MgoDhvi9pIEAX9dlnSU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAEEZzC1TY6xJYGGjXSXJTS48k9C8d93E2K2RSLiNE5RA&oe=658888CF | ig_ads_identity | 1 | 🧿24 HOUR PSYCHIC🧿 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412121145_382818734209495_8085895413439559902_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=29Sx6eCr7x0AX_SkxWa&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDivhlmZv-XurvqA_3tkxHwfME0BFbRd62n0DVLO8VG-g&oe=6588FDBC | 0 | 3 | psychic_joanna1 | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/psychic_joanna1 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55462 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970763 | 65 | 882682126564022 | 1 | 3.7194100857469E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 753866531467703 | 0 | Joanna Crespo | 120203967457230551 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannacresporeiki | 1702861072 | 7.538665314677E+14 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412105063_688675019727609_1842798274616944143_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o9Upy2RVOU0AX-JSzQB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCHycNDf7afvngO_RPHHG7yUZp9vySxS8PlQruCG4tv3A&oe=65885481 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Crespo | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412089746_1036874994185709_9041395890493548863_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qw3pU9qoYfkAX8yUg1M&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBjIgXa-AwPcUicunnHI1tlGaZJHlUxTRqDvrY7AnYWYQ&oe=6587DA85 | 0 | 3 | “Forest Bathing” 🌳🍂 | Joanna Crespo | 395 | https://facebook.com/JoannaCrespoReiki | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55465 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/15/24, 12:32 AM | 1703105770 | 1734244347 | 65 | 829329382282237 | 1 | 1.0803882900742E+15 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104078388769004 | 0 | Steve Burzynski | 120201986184350461 | Contact us | NONE | image | NEW Espresso Drop-Leaf Bistro Dining Table with Black Wood Chairs (Perfect for Smaller Spaces) | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/866382228566801/ | 1702856595 | 1.04078388769E+14 | Steve Burzynski | regular_page | 1 | Steve Burzynski | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411134317_765781022085994_6713941034588843732_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ypQXpDrWG08AX_GKN96&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAcF9uyqfmqb46ix09PF-Bh_XL-4ndaaQxMuOsqupEplA&oe=6588AF8D | 1 | 3 | NEW Espresso Drop-Leaf Bistro Dining Table with Black Wood Chairs (Perfect for Smaller Spaces) - $325.00<br /> <br /> NEW / Assembled and Ready / Pick up Locally (Fishers) / Buy with Confidence from a Trusted & Highly Rated Marketplace Seller (that's me! :)<br /> <br /> Compare at $450 + tax + delivery/wait; Save $$$ and get it TODAY!<br /> <br /> YOU CAN ADD TWO (2) ADDITIONAL CHAIRS FOR $125. :)<br /> <br /> ======<br /> <br /> Drop Leaf Dining Table (Signature Design by Ashley)<br /> <br /> You might be short on space, but you can still long for style. If contemporary tantalizes your taste buds, savor the beauty of this sleek drop leaf dining table. Dark and dramatic, it packs plenty of appeal into a compact design. A beautiful dining table will transform every meal into a five-star experience.<br /> <br /> ROUND SHAPE: Dining table is made of veneers, wood and engineered wood with hinged extension leaves<br /> <br /> DARK FINISH: This dark espresso brown finish is so inviting. Whether it's breakfast or dinner time, everyone will want to pull up a chair at this richly finished table<br /> <br /> GREAT FOR SMALL SPACES: It's big in style, but small in scale measuring 36" W x 36" D x 30" H. It fits perfectly in a small nook or dining area and seats up to four people<br /> <br /> ======<br /> <br /> Sculpted Wood Dining Chair - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia<br /> <br /> * Wooden dining chair adds a touch of modern farmhouse style to your dining space<br /> <br /> * Molded seat design with curved backrest and armrests for added support and style<br /> <br /> * Strong wooden construction offers a durable and lasting design<br /> <br /> * Non-upholstered chair can be accented with a cushion/pillow for added comfort<br /> <br /> * Natural design blends effortlessly with any decor style<br /> <br /> * Each is unique due to the natural variability in wood appearance and coloring<br /> <br /> Add a functional and eye-catching piece to your dining setup with the Sculpted Wood Dining Chair from Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia. This non-upholstered dining chair features an open-back design that's beautifully complemented by the curved backrest and arms, and has a molded seat that adds even more comfort and style to its otherwise simple design. Sculpted in a beautiful barrel shape with vertical bar accents at the back and a trestle base for added stability, this wooden chair brings functional farmhouse style to your dining space. Place it with another wooden dining chair and throw in some upholstered cushions for a coordinated feel.<br /> <br /> Celebrate the everyday with Hearth & Hand — created exclusively for Target in collaboration with Magnolia, a home and lifestyle brand by Chip & Joanna Gaines. Built upon our shared commitment to giving back to our communities, these pieces reveal the beauty of everyday moments shared with family and friends.<br /> <br /> Facebook Marketplace | Steve Burzynski | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100072919407480 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55488 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970763 | 65 | 1059065915293398 | 2 | 3.3820330224427E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508889500427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806310 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411600854_628232465995382_8955298327816266775_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fYjNbC3zuUgAX9MyVNA&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDlgh1vUQpcchxjLy57OiZtHrM0TpEPlNYyXW7SW7Y6FQ&oe=658753F8 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412061384_674224531494186_7381820303663721669_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zdqJw75eYY0AX89L79G&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDuzDuSlmaOL0JJV6IeZeAIvm7NxheuKXaUxeruOXCwDw&oe=6588D27E | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55499 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970764 | 65 | 862258019021418 | 1 | 3.7631629147685E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 176246482239748 | 0 | Joanna Hallac Financial Services | 6500250561771 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/jlhallac | 1702761486 | 1.7624648223975E+14 | Joanna Hallac Financial Services | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412104531_323454067307075_2355321469980482738_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=41gwi2YLhj4AX8HWVRf&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0-hiGC4-o93EgTIMIEOX7mvLjDMXAg1DaDvVl0LS3ow&oe=65883A54 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Hallac | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411426957_3487574548220781_884726534186293148_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YA6mclY4DcoAX_WvFHK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5MllRW4B0q0y3reKZxSo6CtadJ9vAFXj3JJxFiELEhg&oe=65880B04 | 0 | 3 | Growing cash value in a permanent life insurance policy mitigates against tax liability, with more liquidity before 59 1/2 than a 401K, no risk of loss, locked-in gains year-to-year, no contribution limits, and with a 20-year historic ROR of 8-9%. Why not make this the foundation of your financial planning? | Joanna Hallac Financial Services | 5 | https://facebook.com/61554194517220 | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55537 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970764 | 65 | 894158322032356 | 1 | 2.802249315866E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 481722305228597 | 0 | VinePair | 23861754109440689 | NONE | video | 1697129409 | 4.817223052286E+14 | VinePair | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387808524_835886268172274_4357580747179794832_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rsjo8RjNHkEAX_cwlVm&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDRsgVN2jE6E25tXVZqM0b6RXcUQNSBqQMZm-UrOaJmXA&oe=6587BE8A | person_profile | 0 | VinePair | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387179056_676839200846628_7220019804155622101_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=37FQ3xhZXrAAX-U-53o&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAT6He7bJ1SxixRBD3L5kKWRfRZb3VnqUgUARNr6jZLhA&oe=6587F066 | 0 | 3 | From Ann Arbor to Athens, VinePair co-founder Adam Teeter, writer-at-large Aaron Goldfarb, and editor-in-chief Joanna Sciarrino eat and drink their way through some seriously epic tailgates. Check out “Tailgaters,” for a piece of the action on VICE TV YouTube. | VinePair | 148528 | https://facebook.com/Vinepair | 0 | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55548 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970764 | 65 | 1295294284497631 | 2 | 9.0481120115712E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774758800385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633134 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411406002_1268593501200657_3083224984249133525_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gxpul5HirZkAX8J8jxq&_nc_oc=AQmX7s7BvlSrAQICdruKJE47srh1awEax3Qc_UqqfvEufiy0mX12HiBPv4onXyfCl30&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCePy4mF1Ap-4lkV1eD-BwLx27YF6EKRlT6rBdx-N_b0A&oe=658831F4 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411297079_317841657840865_3242262784578749924_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D0tpcaGHQW0AX_olfuc&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCmEVzVp2FRg3AYROjqpBgKW-1g-phdqNWHUBdwYOB9SQ&oe=65891A01 | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55557 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970764 | 65 | 734770968071990 | 1.2402546101146E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011741870506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636906 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411495768_2501898173303909_2442352099466498796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VDIkAKDcYg4AX-gqYuU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-av1qai_88p_uiGyfvcf1a-2GoT7T1On-Kw4wcg86dA&oe=658844AB | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411464514_7492288987466625_5476394650372017636_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=no3fY5RHMzkAX_dQoDL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXhqGpcfEzXS9eALEFwXbN7UdymD7X1PF4jrdz6tTKYA&oe=6588CC33 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55562 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970764 | 65 | 1079998783028119 | 3.335148227866E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011761090506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702637058 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409351984_339750132100880_8584528989206176468_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AUauQlB6hOoAX_zxgwJ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA1yvZ3xIk3mc6B7pNF1PeO9JFkoF5WJ2vUfYjSdmg8Gw&oe=6587724A | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409854734_3056487121534841_6367631256884801763_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iVLFnx8kCyIAX_9dnQe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCgLI_kehLs63nZz6UmCwF-koftQOGvQF1S_hJwY9PuwA&oe=65884DE7 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55584 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/31/24, 6:45 AM | 1703105771 | 1725104741 | 65 | 327265566853437 | 1 | 7.4027569795163E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011731090506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636900 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410405149_2017058205346941_2104807082801441951_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JCpRMvX2OEQAX8R2CK0&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAAu6n6gLrNrH69gFB9Ga7ht16FZ0CqlYW36xkq5lEbsQ&oe=6588CCE5 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410472169_360921859851678_416150048887146742_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tguoORH8IrUAX8MlxvE&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCvgWG8VuziesqE0IV1JVLWIvvWutqdlJoyCHq3VsqnmA&oe=65879077 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55589 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/31/24, 10:13 AM | 1703105771 | 1725117185 | 65 | 1054554825890069 | 2 | 3.4787033128756E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011726140506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636906 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410866111_330316356614855_4226179959100357247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PPLkCVTES00AX8k5gDu&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC0V7hlI_Neo_npTnP8I9cKnbElEnnzfscztt2tsp5iFw&oe=6587F5C8 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410959057_687224273544826_6624659602356466650_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pPesHnZnT50AX9DL2b4&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCn5_3zd9N-WZEuffnCiRXfhiuN0nEbIDmbmXsHyxSnhA&oe=658917CE | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55693 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970765 | 65 | 1816417848879014 | 1 | 1.0139324830137E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 156012997601512 | 0 | Joanna Feldman | 120203251316050126 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/feldman_joanna | 1702568927 | 1.5601299760151E+14 | Joanna Feldman | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411141704_1018783252538064_7994023867012156213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qjaexZ1mZrsAX-bQXaD&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDg0twxnfqCJhAmnK2buiiJdhw3xj-nOl-HSyQFyCyaGA&oe=65893DC9 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Feldman || TOP LIDER • NETWORK • Aloesowe Petardy 📲 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411092904_343073721863179_7028675533729316087_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=43Ry8EO-3csAX__Kni6&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0baantrrtJHdhhJ8YvMpeRA_jKANJrCo2W-lwl0VaTg&oe=6588CD14 | 0 | 3 | Joanna Feldman | 0 | https://facebook.com/61553286580270 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55714 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/13/24, 2:15 PM | 1703105772 | 1731528943 | 65 | 869964134833701 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120203249817530344 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702471845 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409586718_1143208049995789_3937073499646960770_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eNyMSUja5dwAX-UiHFB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfABj2tW-T9vHTV9A5s1NQFHuY94BTobKq1nzRVFum9oNw&oe=65889493 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55745 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/20/25, 7:29 PM | 1703105772 | 1740101396 | 65 | 806860521210578 | 3.5355846726739E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548089209 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409924732_1502736303628506_1122942615382838636_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W4VJltIb98sAX_9iOT4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC-Ni-25SszghPouNtdr-MHXO0zfqICj6jSD18Ul8WhKw&oe=65876905 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409930100_1010946646635984_4814687473833954313_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EdNFdI_RQMIAX_k61kg&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBACy5gUoRU6P8vHkRAiQaB31L7jCALwuEz4vgQlxrWRg&oe=6587D2CF | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55884 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970766 | 65 | 234834796297346 | 2 | 9.0875709362522E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160518903982338 | 0 | TV Girl | 6501561164089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702429502 | 1.6051890398234E+14 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409597945_739505331367730_298898990062110730_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P4unXD-xN98AX__cozr&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBnCSFdMH9lt2WiRgjYT-phBxersdT77R3apEjqC4XRQ&oe=6587A8DE | person_profile | 0 | TV Girl | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409661338_2000963140302970_1015523201791800018_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gjUBthnuznwAX--4TzV&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJ7hyVhH7LXWgZnEkfimklgHcWNr6XpcXvpXKrPf6ppg&oe=65889C12 | 0 | 3 | SLC. Due to screeching demand, the TV Girl All-Star Band will be making a special appearance at the Kilby Block Party this May. Don't miss out on what is sure to be the social event of the season. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0dCR-o85mnPxMXtvUqNXLkNX_FueIYNEWzMtj9qv3wROe7H3NNp4lFEhr5WqtDo38SARVPPxL2YCuhw7rLvvUj_S0pHjkft4WLjXk8AeUn3yRsHocqRWm-ggIripjFiJV6L2aBqV5gtekwv_9ZaZiDoA4NzuTNwkV85GL6JVI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | TV Girl | 47719 | https://facebook.com/tvgirlz | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55769 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/5/25, 2:34 AM | 1703105773 | 1743838472 | 65 | 925131918967141 | 1.514792399362E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548021809 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494397 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409781629_345508451672212_8423922939525873022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sr0qmoAQIi8AX_ho3vA&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBit6sHnAtFE8A3DL1NmMfypnhmXJoL-9W3iRcOyXdt3w&oe=6587EAB4 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409803061_807476794480528_2273468370637991851_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hqn7kz8WAmEAX9gZq4u&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfD3iaaC1rJR3UqsuPZRCdhJmxn-PYewR0Aa6XxD7T_Biw&oe=6589188A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56125 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970767 | 65 | 373481998456804 | 3 | 1.0813951533077E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753701830427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119688 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409312939_630066919129274_7219093102629213544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RGmQLo460nsAX_SnqsO&_nc_oc=AQktLtkqLHQBSPh50O4STvvmXoR0LyUbKRBGPxy54YMZ9dx44M24wWXcGa1sqin1on0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCYpj2r0lg_ujptwyYdoa6HHberYJKSQSq2QmIDRUZlsg&oe=6588EDFF | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409425568_363224712920985_6666607384394241625_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RFCwXKcwlKEAX-Cmwng&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeV5KiPzW4QrNJaK_m30-oIrskKeXj8lsUFrFIRbx4bA&oe=6588E6BA | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56346 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970769 | 65 | 1385172635759971 | 1 | 3.4968361106472E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120201092303580773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701755481 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406841472_898318238521707_7717527817384861483_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jcoOxCzTBwcAX8DSzwA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBkl0sIkJRmp6aSFpyX6QUcnlSZRqzYopYxtRwcV6EbGA&oe=65886945 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406845892_727625895932650_5978896299689966561_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T3DA3R5edaIAX-Pt69z&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB2hxXH2AQZrKy2zK2uVthde6zARxZiDvUnY26cPhF8lA&oe=658749C8 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55805 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 2:07 PM | 1703105773 | 1747681679 | 65 | 6824787847607802 | 8.9160938549781E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207799488720456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702462488 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409698387_1502995653822912_535991878650820493_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5T2wGibn9tgAX_DsyXY&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAH011_6Eq8eUpZVL-CsFkty8J5u_8Gh6VLf4Xpv0lnEw&oe=65883202 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56398 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 679339654321824 | 1 | 1.5101506431088E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 350288461833888 | 0 | Reputize | 120201456005450180 | https://reputizelocal.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 800% increase in reviews 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 | Powerful review system 👉 ReputizeLocal.com | https://reputizelocal.com/ | 1701634526 | 3.5028846183389E+14 | Reputize | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407486774_3567393683533334_2492714032839806933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1G1__CGt1QoAX8N1GNL&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDNBB0GLgrCWu5A7pnPN7NtEEg4_sKFqCtKhs_sESZY0w&oe=65879117 | person_profile | 0 | Reputize Local | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407458960_729549111941857_8562440293852024642_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Kn_PvuJ7CJ4AX8LemRA&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAhugdKEoJTyKZM0CKj4TyxqYVNQ5dYkQWD-mdbmPhscA&oe=65878A10 | 0 | 3 | 👋 Hey there, business owners! Looking to take your business to new heights? 🚀 Reputize has the solution for you! Our powerful review system has already helped countless small businesses like yours skyrocket their success. 💼📈<br /> <br /> 🌟 Get ready to witness an 800% increase in reviews, leading directly to more traffic and sales! 📈📈 Our unique platform is designed to supercharge your online reputation and customer trust. 💪🤝<br /> <br /> 🌐 Don't get left behind by your competitors! Join the ranks of thriving businesses who've experienced phenomenal growth with Reputize. 🚀📈 Click the link below to discover how we can help you shine in the digital world! ✨💻<br /> <br /> 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reputizelocal.com%2F&h=AT11iMzlXCgLDb3-Bqg-QmUEelY-BXbrM-X4SNB8KDxtegY2iht-5eYz2XbGhIP4s2G55hXvkgNBohRj2OvQKCJys5Q28tn7uQqfGOmFsSkZTG0kXq2Dj6vRZ54NhKrmYbNubo7W8Hz4v-l6E5EsZvKEAJQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.reputizelocal.com</a><br /> <br /> 📆 Limited Time Offer! Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your business. 🕑✨ Act now and let Reputize empower your success! 🌟🚀<br /> <br /> #Reputize #ReviewSystem #BoostYourBusiness #CustomerTrust #OnlineReputation #SuccessStory | Reputize | 293 | https://facebook.com/reputize | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56417 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 286335207170378 | 1 | 3.8337891435543E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 508546962512227 | 0 | California Catholic Daily | 120203687455250749 | cal-catholic.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Sister Joanna at L.A. Mission College | Sister Joanna: "I was already engaged. When I left my vocational retreat, I knew, 'Ok, it’s not marriage. Who am I lying to?' " Interview on March 16, 2023 with Sister Joanna, who is studying child development, outside the Campus Services building at | https://bit.ly/46y5w1Z | 1701116191 | 5.0854696251223E+14 | California Catholic Daily | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405514902_1341266093262459_4797617952426983346_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YsA3PMgTJHIAX_LroMC&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfD4Fk_jWlbjWjRTEf78mZrdaHGZO6_zvIof2prlPAUfiA&oe=65892C6F | person_profile | 0 | California Catholic Daily | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405958522_1069757601118717_3779357878982221181_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XJ4N9-DPv3kAX-MewNu&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCHewLGWICEMedUgWBd-pLaPw9MyjXoI5HXnDaA-rNh3Q&oe=658749EA | 0 | 3 | 🎙️Interview on March 16, 2023 with Sister Joanna, who is studying child development, outside the Campus Services building at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar.<br /> 💭👩🎓👨🎓 Join the conversation. If a student were to ask you who Jesus is, what would you say?<br /> Sr. Joanna: That’s a little bit of a trick question, but I would say He’s our Redeemer, our Savior. Some of the students don’t believe because they grew up without the faith. <br /> <br /> Read the entire interview here <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F46y5w1Z&h=AT0RX5o2lhDWLkylkOIOi8VAWXFwk_NNnC_su9frT8Y6zd9lWbjCJmjwbUcPP0ekuL2IrF9LaJyuzd5W1zCft-XwoNG_P7GWGwdxFUe1E6tnfDnDOqsurrMz_-ZqbuV46z2l9n9pZaGEvdrYEpTMdKYM0w8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/46y5w1Z</a><br /> 🎥 Watch on Youtube. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrfTIPgu-qWg&h=AT050x5nifUDkMvVz5IvLshxwezfPRXAv8dUrqzVi_CYKheDGIJaL2ikhkyweNIkeHJ7SGY8_IalqOkYGQOf2TAw14mwm_yODWALQuUWjspJp-60AHNuYkqYhpiKRuCKDVvFnsrlRK42pvtVTZciZpay4xdYGTBYzwLaUjTr" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfTIPgu-qWg</a><br /> <br /> 👉<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cal-catholic.com%2Fsister-joanna-at-l-a-mission-college%2F&h=AT0lE7AiN8EBZXdKsDj6Gv9i42DmOh6XieHzXT8VjMksG9yFNI-T8BujSOdZIqtTHOAd66xYkKvKirB2aMkAqKNpyFMvJHiERT5VDCjTx3VHdZswsO0lox40UbZJSMZOB_tQFNLF4fjGdIgceYcrgiNHTlo" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.cal-catholic.com/sister-joanna-at-l-a-mission-college/</a> | California Catholic Daily | 14406 | https://facebook.com/CalCatholic | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56441 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970770 | 65 | 1514834219353798 | 1 | 7.3638215116742E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200728691860540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701403307 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405209221_391446936562479_8468435753878102442_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tHYhE90Ly54AX8hEfW5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYqC-EG35an_8lDE8fyK1X-3lRQBdaXxIU7RcmC0KFNw&oe=658928B2 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405268437_243587298740794_9102305322760746336_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0iba3YhYs5QAX_l-ELT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBkUNcOTdGabj6XReWghT1ePC63Qc-MFbMvVwBwju49XA&oe=658835C3 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56481 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970771 | 65 | 1030613804653357 | 1.4606147511788E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734150226 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256550 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406343908_1134392147944016_4234719754953010691_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ju1sxm60WR4AX-NuuZf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDX_tdxE1vxNiaEKG-Ep7FPmqbTufGkKwJcTrbf5ouJqg&oe=6588355B | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406308587_886782999505055_9028752171764655065_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rgfcEBkPT9cAX-ZK2zE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCO1e1MUuKbNhFpNFb8zy346wkoIYMBctZsguckG80T_Q&oe=65882107 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56640 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970772 | 65 | 710495111011980 | 2 | 7.6574355199366E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690713200115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055846 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406061155_311693035017567_6618794421494456214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dyM3PPDcv2EAX9zUGMu&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBQ_gxIVgZ1Wt5Kn4gd4FnberlzB7Jx5KMcOiSZ-Nr7XQ&oe=65889BE8 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404763250_3603294633250689_7747790512933093745_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vj0ae7CxIqMAX8eSCai&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDUClOO6-vpSmAyBoNIVjmwZeZlhgz_Yj5z33RjwZU0LA&oe=65876FC3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56658 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 1164873407817232 | 1 | 8.9943949451334E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203280982540596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701067775 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405704034_1005427300760751_9045898617846662539_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p4OdeXTYoX8AX8r1dkc&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAh_F478wv5M71cfub-TEPyBNxX4ej_gOtzUDGyi2xuvw&oe=6587934D | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405704212_2034959193527747_7163482781750894897_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hp9mM8SI46cAX93_jsc&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB_1g5_BuDM-3MzZu5EpIOiX60gALDc4nAXqSyjkXha7w&oe=6589083D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56671 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 2:37 PM | 1703105783 | 1742413068 | 65 | 1108433283476861 | 8.7190420110368E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145433030740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking Silence: Joanna Gaines Shares Her Voice with the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806364 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405783049_902678784584130_1400413092718075053_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nugRVe52Y-YAX9QAaRJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBnkqdlHkSDH9svROaOmsFAzkxt8hjPiazBIGBrNAjmzw&oe=65882D32 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long Kept Secret: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband as Behind-the-Scenes Show Drama Unveils. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56707 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970772 | 65 | 1386275405577934 | 5 | 1.4934879178929E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674070320115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969827 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403745769_247205911444675_7271484387563935182_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDVTFOrIploAX8Wx4Qt&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAdqDMVfxM4YsOssoAJbPKtrEKaDEru3dpZSPB0UQ4jKw&oe=6588CC59 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403686331_1515508455877140_641063253056880077_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W0UBSic023oAX8QYuFU&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDFVEV2Ym4l2aFK3A6su5_aCkSIQKhiwoEfrzkOlZo11w&oe=65881D51 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56785 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 11:53 AM | 1703105784 | 1746982403 | 65 | 659637089651490 | 1 | 1.387554705507E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220477360404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582546 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404319089_675014511401411_4513060975949551745_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=srZl2lTj_kMAX-bYhU5&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBtiMWTM2KytH1MHrWxnpVYBvnBnHkAKo0x7Paidwtymg&oe=6587DD92 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402957807_256956764046331_3256204974770598092_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xnBMq7-Wb9oAX-AzNBn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMftBZn9RKr238hftCJ1RDvCma63uWv8ZDTC2F2G2UtQ&oe=65888E58 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55407 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970777 | 65 | 1043007070147863 | 1 | 1.4206262852177E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 208836353047174 | 0 | Each Modern 亞紀畫廊 | 6489449319094 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | https://www.instagram.com/_u/eachmodern | 1702926250 | 2.0883635304717E+14 | Each Modern 亞紀畫廊 | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412272417_200190233083882_2143989284426777385_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8u-NmMTWeo0AX9gZV1F&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUtAMTF7N6xQuM_CTwgA1jEuNBxENZkM7aJCtwZR5W4g&oe=65881AA8 | person_profile | 0 | EACH MODERN | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411266286_258281767008161_9024646464913264825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=typ-niD7BJUAX-0DzD3&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvRuH9Lxd1Zychj0P7KgNmiSkqT0aUDx09dbY2Lm5XlA&oe=6587C4FF | 0 | 3 | Wu MeiChi at Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival<br /> <br /> Wu MeiChi’s solo exhibition, titled “Baby’s Baby,” is currently on view at the Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival as part of the Discovery Award nominees’ presentation. Curated by Joanna Fu, the exhibition delves into Wu’s exploration of new configurations for digital images over the past three years, showcasing Wu’s unwavering belief in the freedom of artistic expression, the potential of photo media, and the importance of individuality.<br /> <br /> “Baby’s Baby” encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions, including traditional photography, object collages, digital paintings, textile tapestries, 3D animations, and diverse installations. Despite the diversity of mediums, Wu’s distinct visual style unifies them all, creating a tapestry of emotions that range from sorrow to joy, and from nostalgia to celebration. Together, these artworks offer a complex, captivating, and symbiotic visual experience that blurs the boundaries between the virtual and the tangible.<br /> <br /> @wu_meichi @joannafu @jimei_arles @rencontresarles @threeshadows_official <br /> <br /> #WuMeiChi #BabysBaby #JimeiArlesPhotoFestival #VisualDiversityUnbound #CaptivatingArtExperience #BoundaryBreakingArt #ArtisticInnovation #ArtisticJourney #ArtisticFreedom <br /> <br /> Image courtesey of Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival<br /> <br /> Wu MeiChi: Baby’s Baby<br /> till 21 Januay, 2024<br /> Jimei Art Center, Xiamen, China | Each Modern 亞紀畫廊 | 6554 | https://facebook.com/eachmodern | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56054 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970779 | 65 | 872554921032877 | 1 | 8.9736484511529E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498169930278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287784 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409729476_1486429211931547_4135707304775805188_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3DAx-4752aUAX8av1zu&_nc_oc=AQkR_WfaLPkHxjsvarA4cffPcVYPObB4g2WrQpWVOG0ijAknI9E_w2eQNbo251QD9CUNf8HcaGpXldzgfz-UrLhY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB2mDj1abDeMIj3dvV-i_spXAy5oMvAkyTt_53gWWURUA&oe=65892EF0 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409820896_704558541632163_6115430432487449525_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cra0Vpfb3hcAX_PZgZg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDmX2-1IGjRdKGq_mnAU0hSWWNloTxKghzbawpWZihh7A&oe=658783B7 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56118 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/15/25, 8:31 PM | 1703105777 | 1744767119 | 65 | 374115561658834 | 3 | 7.455354941253E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753763160427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119744 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409221760_1152697816104123_6712150111232747307_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uB8xV_IsEy0AX-VLi6T&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDbo3XVYVqQYUo1d5HBStDKW5ypusVSDRamZ-hHlw7dPA&oe=65874FA5 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409112440_1008017557161795_77377253428082485_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VuzN6FRLyhIAX9Hn9kT&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVipON5bxZcwBxQFEGWfDz71JQnqMW_aeCZiaisY50qA&oe=65892417 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56120 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970781 | 65 | 266915559704897 | 3 | 3.496162150623E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204753715350427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702119701 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409220692_260156000075287_2029340546117319855_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UPvWXIUx3xsAX8zXW1C&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDC8aUcyh0XPP2DMSbR_2ImOipSDgEtfQJMVTqr953ETw&oe=6587CD47 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406459279_894902055618843_3835930704048493612_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hyc2U2iNh2sAX-oCWdW&_nc_oc=AQnBdvzD3vEhKs5u4lJacrnZhM5HaQuNxyhGDNcqkxZ-0TEus-tNFr4ix7qMdWPdFr99G7uu6StMz6E0H1y0z2vg&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCc1N3H0HCqGJgvGMPCTtQGUXQakdZiP8VMlwbzEKvK1w&oe=65892898 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56034 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970781 | 65 | 1093598231799191 | 1 | 1.1004339943023E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 125049494030694 | 0 | Luxury Wheels & Waves | 120202148524550239 | yachtsandcars.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.yachtsandcars.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702293013 | 1.2504949403069E+14 | Luxury Wheels & Waves | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409827750_1502742053617002_5867478174680337945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ag0fz7tkIJoAX8BCF-K&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCWMadZ0vXz9Wc3KApIxmMk-njC6tXZkitNBB6930cdQw&oe=65888465 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Luxury Wheels & Waves | 3 | https://facebook.com/61552050682375 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56490 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970781 | 65 | 682038887250931 | 1.0753767934633E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681737680226 | play.google.com | Use app | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256551 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406311804_7345825288760797_7437552425286004130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sUDdSXmqK-wAX-83eCP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDsk7bZLgrXu1704ZmYbqZFJXxHmXb6WZqMjMl2aOLDMg&oe=6587672D | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406344244_1075149587234750_8635112993454647371_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ws-Bq4JntY0AX_6emYi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAnoUQ_w9LsyoPEl0uCHIxzPN0ENzQ0Bi_k6XgVDIilyg&oe=6588A947 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56819 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970782 | 65 | 211713241972823 | 1 | 3.601514993441E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 328574304457733 | 0 | Joanna Rubio | 120200947650470620 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/joannarubio_voicetalentspain | 1700769688 | 3.2857430445773E+14 | Joanna Rubio | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403726120_3786958898254633_8109852589515147584_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1u9yK_uWBUcAX_2PKSK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBsx5ujrj9kylhaWBx0QiZgb_LF9K6PYbl0AUy5j1NtIA&oe=65891F2D | person_profile | 0 | Locutora de Publicidad & Actriz -Joanna Rubio | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403087382_383153817383248_4586823562388699939_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j7Wmsroyjb8AX_Hb7n6&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBXuHV_otWZo0rQLkkKslkky2ZPCUQZ0h9q1tH1QZTa1Q&oe=6587DD47 | 0 | 3 | 🌟Hoy hablaré del INSTA Spam 🔥☺️🎤🎬💫🦁 #locutora #joannarubio #actriz #instagram | Joanna Rubio | 13 | https://facebook.com/voicetalentspain | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56022 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/17/24, 4:45 AM | 1703105776 | 1729158356 | 65 | 923104379147872 | 2 | 2.3139807788105E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216182180123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310313 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410235465_684082286855954_3373861216131586462_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1UhbRdE4-dMAX9-Kktj&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAARKhzsdRQzdJCfkgsPp9eU8t4kgSn45YfWR8I4FM2Kg&oe=6587A8FA | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410036453_735654957949419_8653639442300412375_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lIi4nBmCjU0AX-U0exD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDYivbFJhrkg_xyRNlsa9tL9WDvAx8_8iZKjNZLxurYbQ&oe=658842CB | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56801 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970783 | 65 | 648646504095764 | 1 | 7.98140715404E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632009630115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796590 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404599833_303206832676638_4020486337578810736_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m1n62tNoLCoAX8Epj-w&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAF_Yymoia5IFTsAS1Zb3MGV2b87kcNLMJk84jDIbnTw&oe=658776C9 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405584763_598021995766050_7894290800085537837_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=14XjKJWQ8kQAX_aMuF9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB8RnAQqXJPb2ERHvJPeRqxSjuWtTa-J5TlErz5NSKFEw&oe=65880A30 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56954 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970785 | 65 | 903424214533056 | 4 | 1.0995041845666E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101404241952511 | 0 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 120200721427720167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679731 | 1.0140424195251E+14 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403057964_1015805766315707_9148496957681327356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhEUB9FsQmIAX__AHO0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6B3D94ETWFYJLvU2hwTJyhluk02vLyQBwCEcHI7QMpw&oe=6587D467 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 386 | https://facebook.com/100082447938895 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56591 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 12:15 AM | 1703105782 | 1745039751 | 65 | 867317058105498 | 1 | 7.2933518866695E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715943140115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140393 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406540969_1076278060167807_7928594644643035562_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u8JOLSOkYpoAX9RZJ0O&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDYi8T5X5JqMigZ3wfERFUwmDR5UEsdIRfnNYTsLuFpzw&oe=65891B95 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406095513_749140703756790_1475202729591696840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gvI4bo9mb6gAX-ZUVwt&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAL221Br5oOiJBgm-9C2vJY8OsnNMFPVBDPWtw8PJ3mZA&oe=6588A9DD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55287 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970791 | 65 | 1126635684987173 | 1.5236034117624E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX_7d5_Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0xHFhidxRAQCFugejmKZHv77byLBYJTT7_j4fQKAvgw&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-FZJTx&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBclto2jWOf0t0cqqZXW5eCYAXPxFOijtz9v_Sk5hQIcw&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT0byUWiYx3Pk6QYdaPhUCMcQ6_yANZuRvd1V-CZR0709k9j0PsCd4aiaVt2NSlgJWiUdZJjIiDL-LNxk68_HYOPDtSdvnZm0YrHGsuapmAXZyKQq3rtFL4i-W540Oie9VQEIipUBgYsjlY1ifeRaQvkLjzVaMY0FlhRkmIs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56910 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970791 | 65 | 361481579718653 | 3 | 1.3615746614205E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721229280167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679210 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404277972_1474047976500268_5505304021207958587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z141r6EMTGkAX9RlEXw&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCBr0z1hA_-cKlmhq9aMOtRxKe8oHU41FpykZ3I-YELaA&oe=65888F78 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55809 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105773 | 1722970792 | 65 | 339217672189947 | 1 | 3.7003701547796E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509811580308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462365 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410097783_2250093161857038_5444956019027324661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y4T1FwWVZxMAX-ag4cf&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYzur4cdB5zPAZwZG85BRHSJl4TyyzCkKm6QApk-86ww&oe=6587B9A0 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410006480_1539270926888822_7642143410279152725_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q1_IwnDJa2oAX-Z5-fp&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCsOtr1ULrvEjtmERwHsTBE0Brksk6ghRjypMxAo1IJTQ&oe=6588B25F | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55953 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970792 | 65 | 858925919350608 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207705844050456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389395 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410656271_1733305633855408_8990219472974340376_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zAIUeoFO4zAAX_12jQz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCE2lwV94MrJDdXyITjwrhBiVxacsR1I4SICJDM0PKUkw&oe=6587A137 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56262 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970795 | 65 | 1443260403067074 | 1 | 2.2744610037948E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997290940476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940728 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406865969_691555219747393_4878979426708103936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S-lLK_52nkcAX9TpS9O&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAR9wcfbaVr2fbCl4BAmYbEfJ_Wro7_83c4UI-6Ddei3w&oe=658881F9 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406868092_1354567575420825_2240110471762841578_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HzcSj5Bbm_IAX_JW5on&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCH4c7EQGpAp9VNEogkiAXT-iQDu-jsRUSMJeAAX14yqA&oe=6588A7E4 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56150 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970796 | 65 | 1561939670876668 | 6 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155240620476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094399 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409215390_2079516739047900_2618157126642216579_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v27iGiasvRIAX-hBaJZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCp4Tg88y9XhjOeWbXPjJ_YupsB_4OC0IXMv6MwdmNJag&oe=658857E1 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408061708_364861349386557_6028448798195219691_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xywIAoHSnxwAX8Ffw7P&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCOzAybq-AC3KTXmDXbkOg_6opUMCdXfPeG8tVQcSr1uA&oe=6587C310 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56648 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970796 | 65 | 862532382040808 | 1 | 1.523786868408E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690714700115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055851 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406250023_3420119318298579_4272544271079886175_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ofG-mS9LNR4AX8ydDCL&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfANaD_FZhESuqTaDBQVcDbnJeR8QnXHb7-6KZYyZndDzg&oe=6588C3FA | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406182192_1147198609591878_8094352202485519014_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UqaMrG3FticAX9092Ok&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCKQECiixU7bwJ2_1bWaBAeJkYNH-Zjncv2pGBMDolMHQ&oe=65884AFF | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56527 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970796 | 65 | 855966836260972 | 2 | 2.6384812298732E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201748962320115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701227696 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406111971_333400846084402_6471138385137026165_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PRzWC853kQgAX-6dr8s&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBPFssUPr9UXvrUCbnh7mIqCaa0ZOk_LY2PkaObg7BzqA&oe=6587CD30 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404662921_648711477337903_7529690685008585812_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wLpImdXb4R4AX_5uBMj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMkws9FMbdbAFIbeYQDQCSKogvczSlBGXr9RLV9yU4bw&oe=6588E928 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55926 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970797 | 65 | 1845127869276806 | 2.4037759559825E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041729158 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421833 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409724559_301649665551408_1430700729482515707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XGrOuCcO5csAX_LA1wO&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAuhLWIuw2ofzdqoPqzKq2tyKD_jlgROfNk0zTONRs14g&oe=65881138 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409716826_1063939821284389_1115264441332791019_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-wRc2fVAgKwAX-rxx1E&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDJhVnt6Cww3SbabboNxS5KZ0Eqx-h6_vdWMYoVJfNuRg&oe=6588D143 | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56129 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105777 | 1722970797 | 65 | 265919759464733 | 1 | 3.336346461977E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155248530476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094441 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409064973_1275705733104784_1126383760841866428_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZOzahH13lOAAX87cMSb&_nc_oc=AQnpRhIR8WjI7R99YqEJmcAQeWBhBdqkYcVMksXr2r3CtaK986Ll2OxaJY3P6Q5mWbI&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPPXlMCG_5PA6MIVA63z5O0h5Zq1etHSDnCXRoeAUOtg&oe=6588018C | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409079570_1305885956780208_5885327596105222773_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CXB13LtCeiQAX_eSfKn&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCql6ZmFU3nNUbasHTX814RK_dolA70P4IAQJUdUjUcBA&oe=65882496 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56239 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970797 | 65 | 2518426121659042 | 1 | 3.9826180610668E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6585777582609 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/collections/los-angeles-spa/products/triple-crown-facial-1 | 1701966856 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/392822008_359342046611240_5122394881418210686_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d_PAdtj-djoAX8ssh_e&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBSGAgASBm81v8-KhjzbI47g_L-FMYGl1KAv2u9XGiJOQ&oe=6588D000 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409125405_1144787960233558_6968571215305993227_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ASvBB279-cAX_n2mN-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCuKOvGKI1PE8LUrn-U8fQcMnGcGsIYqRGYRNybWpvQMw&oe=6587DD9F | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56874 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970797 | 65 | 172182912646052 | 2.8800859695267E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1702152333364539 | 0 | Two Red Dots | 120201778908950250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677875 | 1.7021523333645E+15 | Two Red Dots | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403732874_200696603079248_6327002370576212959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c0pVumBRrA4AX8UTqyo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBH0YhFcRdNbLBagLzzNnWi8IPgh747_7P8eZruco9pxw&oe=6588D874 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Two Red Dots | 28460 | https://facebook.com/tworeddots | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55289 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970797 | 65 | 3737017243290457 | 1.5236034117624E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX_7d5_Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0xHFhidxRAQCFugejmKZHv77byLBYJTT7_j4fQKAvgw&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-FZJTx&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBclto2jWOf0t0cqqZXW5eCYAXPxFOijtz9v_Sk5hQIcw&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT2NrQD0qiGgsS6y2r08RRc_UVBDw9IM4QVfbGqOzHlog3MW02fKVxcFZmmKnJRWacDJfPUaYaVkrmgSyFmRtL_8212AVPKxkjiCE8AeifTTJj5BxsTtXJA4L12VczgkfwjdzsnAW-jMZ0Jp-jDV3b4e4h0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55283 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 1:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970797 | 65 | 1617771725418319 | 1 | 6.4426024096769E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120201885838410183 | Send message | NONE | multi_images | 1701109171 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404596715_1077491880111844_1082406078132874183_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NF_kl78TEt0AX-rWDzq&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA4gV9Ujub6knPhBZaDqtVXloC2J1Kzd41qKKdhjlj8Wg&oe=6587470D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Q: What's a real estate agent's favorite way to start the Christmas season? <br /> A: Gingerbread house decorating! 😂 Cause these are houses we all can afford! Hehe. <br /> <br /> P.S. Which one gets your vote: Ava, Mysha or Olivia? | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56426 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 5:40 AM | 1703105780 | 1723027218 | 65 | 1442915686289013 | 1 | 3.6975337551115E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200878836410773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701423631 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406442633_239298392342337_2283296466817735296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xy0Xw7SX39gAX94GNZW&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAxGchot2xotzKat7PxHn5xkxgu5Jx9mXhgUP-bfEjY3A&oe=6588B141 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406402202_2070181980002531_8012725384908943971_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ai48WCYAlLwAX_-ZFtK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOelw3q3X_9XLUTqgE6iZ-hDWFpcTOgbmVNnvFGlICVA&oe=658919DB | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56438 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970800 | 65 | 2143104789365645 | 1 | 9.6953704450129E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114384308289241 | 0 | CMG Herald US | 23862269985980046 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701406991 | 1.1438430828924E+14 | CMG Herald US | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407249654_1011275396843038_5904039774548326372_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YPHoY-62-pUAX9j-JcX&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDTDV6u9F6nkEL9Fe1eDxHK4ogM5SH1y3S6Xo-JzbvbJQ&oe=6587C683 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Herald US | 99 | https://facebook.com/cmg.heraldweekly.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56847 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970801 | 65 | 896524035456673 | 3 | 2.2170545485052E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207907690403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724613 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404066893_676990304538798_4609614431989315075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4oOkyCJfUcAX9wRa3a&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB-hdH0n79XQ_J1lvNUuLctk8vp4xmguNwmS9k4nyd0MA&oe=6588A572 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403891141_596212575946782_481744435347397638_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=55KNoVxp8VUAX-NzRtX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBkPD_qR6WiHpBIeyDB6zaKp-9FlMYX-SoV7SqeOxJ5pA&oe=658755AE | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55575 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105771 | 1722970801 | 65 | 1407357870209843 | 1 | 3.0169094952452E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748190506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636930 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409979574_203393579497269_5665190228670920022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x8hPv9BQUZoAX9Hx9K3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBU3k1lTdcHtkAFAr8fHLoZbHi4dTSFoaRrf3f2tGC-Gw&oe=65885755 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409920846_6965629766816952_6359015248030594278_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BQvgFkmbUysAX9_rfZe&_nc_oc=AQmGBX2tXmVTDNfVa0YxNYoFekTgoj4Apd_HbqjkIlZdjswLK2d_2vvZxNRUKd2YobQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCElTGRyM2PgXBWL0VfJsOX3dhy9MKRcj3Xugg5weBd0g&oe=6588BBC3 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56408 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970802 | 65 | 696355042638890 | 2 | 5.7803483781376E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1212315052125863 | 0 | Bloom Yoga | 120202184373170152 | lucybloomyoga.com | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.lucybloomyoga.com/pages/sisters-of-the-moon | 1701530719 | 1.2123150521259E+15 | Bloom Yoga | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407841818_292918336468964_2425834869800652474_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SAG7Vj1KZM8AX_VYb2e&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDcMegam5nS6VBTxVl0mX1fO25zV7tx9SSP0zXwj5ixBA&oe=6587CA92 | person_profile | 0 | B L O O M by Lucybloom Webb | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407362170_282452567624207_4827441002194061104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s5XdlxxJNlkAX_GamyR&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfD_L9Df-BDBXXmUGdBPFw3a3iQP5juNMOLRnAXK43CrzA&oe=658809A0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Bloom Yoga | 574 | https://facebook.com/lucybloomyoga | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56881 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970804 | 65 | 192813123904955 | 5 | 1.3699666969605E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201778998720250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677962 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404501919_1399764947592984_5324204061772205548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXFCrrITZpIAX_feCxd&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDRG_27WtviK22cWNkIbZW9DnqDijHNdtzuG5g4AwU2Kw&oe=65876157 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56077 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970804 | 65 | 1512324726210643 | 1 | 3.4334114500461E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2029906193959240 | 0 | Heritage Doodles YYC | 120204333768440242 | instagram.com | Learn more | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/heritagedoodlesyyc | 1702251574 | 2.0299061939592E+15 | Heritage Doodles YYC | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409556113_715255074000113_7267899979328551819_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=Yo37ftauRRQAX9dfjL3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDhbj4Buy8iGXiJxvswq5GEDRYn5ALMfjsH5xp6hfuA6g&oe=658806F9 | person_profile | 0 | Heritage Doodles YYC/ Lizzy Kusch | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406494986_352953080652358_3959872513373634302_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=30_5sgMhvBAAX8xg0lf&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAcaY_patiyX_m3wAYC3ipKiCRkx957tqSyv48lx7cXVg&oe=65874B16 | 0 | 3 | Meet Joanna and her Cavapoo, Rufus! Joanna says Rufus’ tail wags have turned her home into a house of happiness! These are the testimonies that have built our reputation over 9 years! 🏡💖 We'd love to hear your story - DM us! <br /> <br /> #HappyTails #DoodleTestimonial | Heritage Doodles YYC | 2520 | https://facebook.com/HeritageDoodlesYYC | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56908 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105785 | 1722970807 | 65 | 366680749061784 | 8.5894191571687E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201778904010250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677851 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404641104_695922715605664_4661830556968240599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JX0QMFBt9K0AX96aclO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmx5XAIsWJ0PPFKGJZ-zPUpQ5MlG4kw2jLd_P7XqNL8g&oe=65889C1E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56610 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970807 | 65 | 160433433800094 | 3 | 1.1463320796809E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715933020115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140249 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406097541_730960352233573_693611842653874882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CISftxXKi54AX_2D8_0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB8xuD42VSMODK_fEtgdN4Brjfh3KY7FaCXK7DsXl42ag&oe=6587B41A | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406027286_1416626198966381_8353623570236246709_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xmoS5RoDfHgAX-Y3LGm&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfIFjebMwp3FBKYl0kaziIM3akqVIuppoA4JdNYAp9lw&oe=6588D5B3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55396 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970808 | 65 | 1817684428671796 | 1 | 1.0648731778774E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 485927748589954 | 0 | Joanna Pace, Magnolia Realty | 6535821053757 | NONE | multi_images | 1702942049 | 4.8592774858995E+14 | Joanna Pace, Magnolia Realty | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412165304_176936632131148_2424197255814502728_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tM5ZT6fLR3QAX87FTeF&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDviNU4p1Joeu7xJ7NrNtKroUCKI9105QMqCZzSr1J_KQ&oe=658796B4 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA PACE | TX REALTOR® | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411034953_1060362398637302_573211910945704820_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eVS-N25z8OEAX8bHr8N&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfANMkQVBsu5UQrcT722_ovcIJ1XScFKQoJJboEfHHG4Ig&oe=6588A602 | 0 | 3 | THE GIFT OF BUILDING JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! 🎁 <br /> <br /> **PRICE IMPROVEMENT at $129,000!!**<br /> <br /> 12.857 acres located in Valley Mills, Texas<br /> <br /> This country homesite has a water meter in place, lies right off the county road, and has the perfect potential for a custom home or a weekend retreat! DON’T MISS OUT!<br /> <br /> 📍253 CR 225 Valley Mills, Tx<br /> <br /> 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 📱CONTACT 254-366-2222<br /> <br /> #centraltexasland #landforsale #customhome #buyingandselling #buildyourdreamhome #magnoliarealty #magnolia #igotthekeys #valleymillstx #wacotx | Joanna Pace, Magnolia Realty | 1377 | https://facebook.com/joannapacerealtor | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55634 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970809 | 65 | 883817626404838 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107484338786638 | 0 | The Good Life | 120203686500330437 | familyandpets.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.familyandpets.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702565801 | 1.0748433878664E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411098239_288032930903586_3883919159968976750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hObk9Lq4OqAAX8-UzJi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOu6bC3Iub4QRnKjh-c45hbgoRMyle5r5_gfsAxKS0Bw&oe=65888E60 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | The Good Life | 1832 | https://facebook.com/100086048831352 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55356 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970810 | 65 | 735535798015728 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55641 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970810 | 65 | 1054021952462998 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101538409405008 | 0 | Savvy Saver | 120204553993050170 | savvydime.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.savvydime.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702565686 | 1.0153840940501E+14 | Savvy Saver | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411218626_879025503718005_5319578744321553378_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HDJhDAwpiuMAX_rw2Tk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfABGWFDGFkCyFjaHpKWro0WTkxrSsZBtSqDayrEqkT3BA&oe=65886A21 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Savvy Saver | 1065 | https://facebook.com/100086035737104 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55478 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970810 | 65 | 2008402819538016 | 1 | 2.6439844631626E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 368314343336961 | 0 | Piper & Skye | 120202684328930201 | www.piperandskye.com | Learn more | NONE | video | http://www.piperandskye.com/ | 1702827971 | 3.6831434333696E+14 | Piper & Skye | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412152554_6906205722789398_5685622313516889019_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nILgroKb1gcAX_NMgX7&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAKJuAD_xcX14zlTjZiZP9xAjxch5krwNE1yQ_sdbNXrg&oe=65876FA2 | person_profile | 0 | Piper & Skye | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412214294_1057202492266436_276154345490070548_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IQPxCx1NCJkAX8TqD7m&_nc_oc=AQnWeofekPTPOOGjYjpzWcZ0CNIJiq_G2C2919Vj9mXOcCGD2Bv9_K0DpfDPtRjCr-Q&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCb4eWj0xXpMIafqBvvumfJOpMHMzMtdcfxNoLWEZs5uA&oe=6588469B | 0 | 3 | Did you know that each of Piper & Skye’s bags directly support survivors of DV and HT through our sister brand @safetransitions_co ? <br /> <br /> Created by our shared founder Joanna MacDonald, Safe Transitions acts as an intermediary organization, connecting shelters with landlords in the GTA, who will provide safe homes for individuals ready to begin their transition from a shelter to a new beginning.<br /> <br /> Safe Transitions prioritizes a housing-first approach. This means ensuring that women and children have the resources they need to leave their abu3ers and establish independent, fulfilling lives. <br /> <br /> By addressing housing as a fundamental need, they create a stable foundation upon which survivors can rebuild their futures.<br /> <br /> And their work doesn’t stop there. During their 12-month term, Safe Transitions clients have access to a comprehensive suite of wraparound supports, including subsidized housing, mental health counseling, employment and skills training, life coaching, financial literacy, and other supports provided by partner organizations and Safe Transitions’ network of dedicated volunteers.<br /> <br /> This holistic approach is foundational to Safe Transitions’ success, and it is key to the organization’s ability to uplift vulnerable and multi-barriered women out of shelters and into a sustainable new chapter.<br /> <br /> Through our Sisterhood of Impact, Piper & Skye is actively involved in funding Safe Transitions as part of our commitment to social and environmental responsibility.<br /> <br /> So if you are looking for a “Gift that Gives Back” this season - A piece by Piper & Skye might be just the one you’re looking for!<br /> <br /> You can peruse our entire collection through our Instagram Shop or the link in our bio!<br /> <br /> #PiperandSkye #welovewhatweremadeof #giftsthatgiveback | Piper & Skye | 2730 | https://facebook.com/piperandskye | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56277 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970810 | 65 | 1510454093085329 | 2 | 2.6439084330318E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202302911090520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Heartbreaking New For Joanna Gaines | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701933138 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711767_360968093115719_5142257806020504388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VnaIsZJeIvUAX_aE9PO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAj5dCgjEk2Szr1xGTLvzGf2t3o1RVu_Cav0FnzV3kGzg&oe=65888BE7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip Drops Major Bombshell In Front Of Entire World (Truly Heartbreaking) | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56370 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/18/25, 10:06 PM | 1703105779 | 1737259579 | 65 | 293573379737219 | 1 | 2.0736628063665E+15 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104147352498251 | 0 | History A2Z Español | 120202286062280275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701667696 | 1.0414735249825E+14 | History A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407358931_733719681937943_7075164544078949158_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EVnPGmrWSQAAX82srUB&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBgGenAsOPz-1_3ZtFh9aYYxugtVRiPfJ_h2ehWVnBa-w&oe=65890B3B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | History A2Z Español | 944 | https://facebook.com/historya2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55923 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 1:51 PM | 1703105775 | 1746557462 | 65 | 757006039605167 | 2 | 8.8176926339419E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041875958 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421862 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409806489_1346341835989412_1092759558192673192_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XlT_nyUnv3UAX8yw_LT&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfATnPmOfEASV7BrU9tJCtAuhbOxostqlHXLD3_PqNIQrQ&oe=6588A5A9 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409745192_677318514578839_769791529882520020_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iV57oTl3E4EAX-d2-qs&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDaItSAkJNV5PbCqQn14C40SjFRNiOt-ntGTvHuO1YXKg&oe=6588604F | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55545 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/27/25, 6:24 AM | 1703105771 | 1745753089 | 65 | 891193462282413 | 1.1651691944621E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774769530385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633139 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409850935_379346391268301_3984958208843198676_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DejazUgTbFMAX-T3Egx&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAA1zsmqua0mGZMHSkFRmpmgWO_LS6Z-pabR-44_fPsTQ&oe=6588F697 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411102115_870648201387701_1027004953492587972_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VOiQDIysjbgAX_bPIv0&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA4D6REeHq6Dt28IA2n3jLBiq10_KKJ7gf7Nuk1AxmEWQ&oe=65889EAC | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55899 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970810 | 65 | 897275151809265 | 8.470059204479E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501559294089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702428422 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409963470_894379525635968_7914610376397349032_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tswA1Lw29-8AX_i44Hk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCQcP7XRra62YfMmWP4uAaiIjyJQX-XpoLuSQ3tGB7q9g&oe=65884E97 | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409938421_716048207142794_8876386778611521615_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7vBOpOFZ7GYAX96jtf2&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAAzODiCpQxpw7iRkVKczpJTm5xoaNbFZpp63l0Ttilcw&oe=65876A49 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT1y7OPls6384EwrQUMPkz21bsnZtLYXzuEzH8pBv3dOzkqoEiZM4U61JOex6_e_grOpaW2MCfZBUXNP10nhLde2FGsvKFR3_KifBlKzGzmkK989EtWZoX8CIpL2xvv6y-60CVNGRxZnabwo1SCEk8qt27ALFox_-_86cyoNSo0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55472 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 2:12 PM | 1703105770 | 1743534777 | 65 | 3578875405685080 | 6.6206750249947E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 147511991787764 | 0 | NovaNestle | 6528961909474 | novanestlecw.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Xmas Give-away! | https://novanestlecw.com/ | 1702849214 | 1.4751199178776E+14 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411131959_685543253378290_4544217852905263209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I31O-sfZj9IAX-6i_6d&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCBkWOW6mccw49GFZ5yjTDw49qnQki9rjBOkFzbRX0uzA&oe=6588F3B2 | person_profile | 0 | NovaNestle | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410642861_359009996857450_3037760702733798333_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OXrwPbZ8CK4AX_o-N6y&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3gV4bjVIeQ9F15Jyr24eTyEM_s_IuiXPdSySRzDXU4Q&oe=658872D2 | 0 | 3 | (Backed by a Lifetime Warranty). Guaranteed, the last cookware set you will own. | NovaNestle | 4 | https://facebook.com/61554141392830 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56680 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 8:20 AM | 1703105783 | 1743254409 | 65 | 1059610598405726 | 1.0142185298623E+15 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145435010740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Opens Up, Breaking Her Silence Before the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806369 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404312839_2514208338746081_8552745789445159781_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ox_wDj0WmDEAX8Sa5jG&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6bEOCSTrItp7EcuBYIZz_1-Zf099ecZUnx9YY5dQP3g&oe=6587919D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long-Hidden Truths: Joanna Reveals Husband's Story and Behind-the-Scenes Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55505 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/17/24, 5:04 PM | 1703105770 | 1731884693 | 65 | 357174570276266 | 2 | 2.1352928201397E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120202098704170647 | leonis.gr | Learn more | NONE | image | http://www.leonis.gr/ | 1702391615 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409602799_361837913056725_5132234775297137907_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K3RQnMcdAgUAX_5DCRz&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDrX42NDpAjah85QJIIgTUUB96zhhOLNP8goPS56I52Iw&oe=6588ABF6 | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409568200_3290616874571306_7120232454040463514_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oi7ZzK2OsHMAX_8LqtX&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCUpLRkauxVqVgsWLYDeiVTfW_sBMRLLFYS8-RksJAgRw&oe=65889BA2 | 0 | 3 | To think that this is just half of the sea view available at Leonis Summer Houses. The hotel looks over Ornos beach as well, just 500m away and offering more than a few options for lunch or dinner.<br /> <br /> It’s no secret that our guests can’t get enough of this view, which is why we have filled the hotel with the most comfortable bean bags, loungers, sofas, chairs, all spread throughout the property and in place to ensure that everyone will always have the perfect spot to lay back and enjoy this breathtaking picture.<br /> <br /> If you’d like to get a taste of the holiday experience that we have been perfecting since 2012, all you have to do is make your reservation at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT37FpsMCzIekQ4KCpsM8meehtBKD-kiD6JiwZwLMPmvdIBlmWq06ubxM7IYIeJg82zUxwKUjSQQ5DntEnNnfDfnhSIBVx9RzEFQ2T9IVTHTgNUj4kmncAWr6N5ln-CcX752mc5xHd7JT0QYKNjr5LiY1zldf3vpSdyl-Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or send your request at welcome@leonis.gr<br /> <br /> Season Premiere 20 April 2024<br /> <br /> #mykonos #greece #hotel #travel #photooftheday | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55299 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/20/24, 8:59 PM | 1703105768 | 1724205545 | 65 | 1139310843708028 | 4 | 2.5441264411326E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108401345691237 | 0 | JoyReels | 120204142256710210 | publicity.joyreels.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Love Born From A Contract | https://publicity.joyreels.com/?channel=facebook&link_id=743&ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702954480 | 1.0840134569124E+14 | JoyReels | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410001875_273934762328119_7808257361704332019_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ablHKPO2G8MAX8V02nQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA3h5EMM6HvuFqlCFovFhbVv4SEJhd0Z89okElP1wtK9Q&oe=6587A5F9 | person_profile | 0 | JoyReels | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410032119_3648526902101394_471132752075220008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AVsDXCCiYgMAX-QOmeu&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDxD8J5UKT_G7HN3rd93SKvcgO-rWNgG314amyUIKwHtw&oe=6589243B | 0 | 3 | Please don't stop! She begs as I crawl on top of her. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively and I could feel a strong heat between my legs... I'm about to lose it...<br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> It's really good, I couldn't stop watching it in one sitting, it's worth watching many times!Love Born From A Contract | JoyReels | 81 | https://facebook.com/61550637441013 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56331 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970811 | 65 | 351770564169299 | 4 | 7.6009832261614E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1054880307978117 | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 120201440749690249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/lunabydrakedustin | 1701717833 | 1.0548803079781E+15 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407687937_362629002916359_521187055794424269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i1IR0yixaIkAX9aKzRe&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCly3sOwNMGbiNk-PoaA3e-oijhoG8Xx7GvLqk1p3tLpA&oe=65877EE2 | person_profile | 0 | LVNA By Drake Dustin | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721979_1597657157709230_7686680800966949785_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lVAw0DomeGgAX_ToUFd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC7vjJYz_aXBK7pVGbuhmP7yQF3-HxAUUm5mrUO9LMc-g&oe=6588125D | 0 | 3 | IN HER ELEMENT. For the most-awaited April 2023 issue of #TatlerPhilippines (@tatlerphilippines), #NadineLustre (@nadine) stunned everyone again with her ethereal appearance that is as beautiful as a scenic view. This time, Nadine was really ‘In Her Element’ as she became vocal about the imperative role of everyone to teach the young about environmentalism’s significance in today’s world. Read an article excerpt from Nadine’s cover issue and heed her call to start saving the planet in our simple ways. <br /> <br /> Photographed by BJ Pascual @bjpascual <br /> Styling by Joanna Garcia @joannagee <br /> Hair by Paul Nebres @paulnebres <br /> Makeup by Jelly Eugenio @jellyeugenio <br /> Nadine wearing @ushisato & @lunabydrakedustin<br /> <br /> Grab a copy now of @tatlerphilippines April 2023 featuring #NadineLustre ✨ | LVNA By Drake Dustin | 272992 | https://facebook.com/LunaByDrakeDustin | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55320 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/12/24, 1:03 AM | 1703105768 | 1731395016 | 65 | 1085542402568600 | 1 | 9.4622900359411E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475802980743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977115 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410956895_274199665653400_7748308768343459745_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dAKwAuf5P0YAX8QDRJU&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBw15h6j9FyLMZxBioJ78bPHz_Io4agd56R7nB-n2jkpw&oe=65890167 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410959091_835735205017141_6786103035121437991_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s7mw8EgUGzsAX-M4xhY&_nc_oc=AQl8927vyQBiAGhta5auFWk8An-wXNrrsOxYojcNnGrH_TuwUCahb5RUxHpATgv3cjc&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAZTZxmnXTK2Y_YVq3Gac-wFmGObYPTlFi5DEj7caDHeg&oe=6588DA9C | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55933 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/13/24, 5:12 PM | 1703105775 | 1726265552 | 65 | 886739873084895 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207707746700456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390779 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410638793_358282810225668_6895351594446045690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yuUfpaHazNYAX_gHpqs&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDuG2ggkZ69Gx501iUNiMzLkLVdtzC0EF96iZBHROOA8w&oe=65879853 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55496 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/17/24, 11:59 PM | 1703105770 | 1731887940 | 65 | 1360663304565224 | 1 | 1.3969183675757E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 390054311401148 | 0 | Texas Local News | 120204117133810012 | www.newsbreakapp.com | Install now | NONE | image | Breaking news from McGregor! | Reconnect with your neighborhood! Daily news alerts for local news headlines! | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.particlenews.newsbreak | 1702803383 | 3.9005431140115E+14 | Texas Local News | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411713153_761059496067308_7280434653336147036_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dSe1qvJ03SQAX_KXhVj&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCIOBbT-HC8Gzz-xDHGQ4EkDlxTMnAXU5Svw5nyVIRzVA&oe=65886581 | person_profile | 0 | Texas Local News | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411651343_1004738860612559_8434175818876634757_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hYsARitkSOMAX8EpUjK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAjYonc7aA5M7ef5LQrg1IAe11jmkaI9QP8ZiF6Z2l4tQ&oe=6587CFE6 | 0 | 3 | McGregor News: Chip + Joanna Gaines’ Charming Magnolia House Sells — See Inside! [Pictures]. Install news app trusted by millions to stay informed of latest McGregor local news! | Texas Local News | 161703 | https://facebook.com/TexasNewsBreak | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56004 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/18/25, 8:58 PM | 1703105775 | 1737255506 | 65 | 166289143242836 | 1 | 3.4116027852962E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 184439324933130 | 0 | Cornerstone Church | 6529190903132 | cornerstonemi.org | Learn more | NONE | video | Cornerstone Music - Merry Christmas | http://cornerstonemi.org/Christmas | 1702330766 | 1.8443932493313E+14 | Cornerstone Church | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408892811_676543014600363_4961638152934266247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dB8MjN4YKFEAX-mtpmy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDkZLaV-D1B2-9cdH0y0WzXMwUodPCyM5yOPgIrRZnpiw&oe=6587A4F3 | person_profile | 0 | Cornerstone Church MI | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408957253_673900968059602_8374456237477502269_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I_G7VboqB4wAX9X5who&_nc_oc=AQmxZDMT_C1tR4mTIKelkf6Qd1gCr1UrzW2QW-7fvKG14bIUIFMOY7fhbAiOEty1t54&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC-H4gqEnWBDpVkG3DFKErEyD9LXy-1PNPMnrk9yGMI2w&oe=6588C1F9 | 0 | 3 | Our Cornerstone Christmas music continues with some amazing talent! We want to thank the following for taking part: <br /> Joanna Frampton - Keys<br /> Sabrina Lavengood - vocals<br /> James Lavengood- electric guitar <br /> Ken Pitchford - bass<br /> Trevor Kline - drums<br /> <br /> We'd love to have you join us for Christmas. All the details are at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcornerstonemi.org%2FChristmas&h=AT0enniZGBPifPRBZfm-svEqO4-cWf3ARiqWY-bmKSQ2-uJFkEJMuL1Yw_Dt8dYq2k8IqRa3ofaZYCs9_XG2NMEy8zR1QS9ujhhg4iegrPJyrqElaONZVkNxrqfs55doh0Eas1EzOhBNDWJHtH1mnQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">cornerstonemi.org/Christmas</a>. | Cornerstone Church | 4399 | https://facebook.com/cornerstonemi | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56797 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 11:26 AM | 1703105784 | 1746548811 | 65 | 1803331690173030 | 1 | 8.749779505911E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107090068642820 | 0 | Book Lovers Hub | 120200815339870645 | dynamic.chereads.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Search <The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>❤️🔥🔥 | https://dynamic.chereads.com/noah-ssg/wn/202303091/27109457006677105+1+4+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}} | 1700818595 | 1.0709006864282E+14 | Book Lovers Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404330018_333614032698869_7679565587660449329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gaxFNWHB3fEAX_gmTpa&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZUcevOvVOoJy_jHvge9wkGMqwp7HAgTQ2Ujw8dXshVQ&oe=6589343A | person_profile | 0 | Book lovers hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405617386_863380908626623_1401296625287397993_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_XdU9wmPYm4AX_0Kaa3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPFbrTimUrXIl_AiYM4KTyEtShs83nudGsdOn09iDSLg&oe=65890398 | 0 | 3 | Manhattan,New York city.<br /> 8:06pm.<br /> In the vip ward of a hospital, a tall silhouette of a man was seated on a cushion. His long legs that were cladded in an expensive Italian shoe, sprawled out, while looking at his neat three piece customized tailored suit he wore, gave off the fact that he was wealthy.<br /> The expensive Rolex watch he wore fitted around his wrist perfectly and gave him an endearing look, on how dripping expensive everything he was wearing was. <br /> Everything about him could only scream one thing. <br /> Money! <br /> Power! <br /> Dominance!<br /> The cold look on his face as he tried hard to not lose his temper, made him surprised because he knew that he didn't have such self control right now, not for the situation at hand that had landed him here late at night in Weill Cornell medical center.<br /> It gave off the notice to the gossiping lips of the female nurses, who couldn't help but keep his name out of their lips, as every now and then, he could hear them outside the ward, as he had his mind prepared about the news that would probably be scrolling around the news headlines about him by now.<br /> Well, it wasn't everyday that someone of such high social caliber, would grace the hospital, especially at this time of the night that it was rare to see such a man, with the exception that he wasn't here because he was injured, nor needed to see the doctor.<br /> But rather, he was here because of the young lady that was sleeping on the hospital bed, a few meters away from where he sat. It was appalling that he sat and watched her sleep, the way a lover would do to the loved ones, while hoping that they get better.<br /> But no! The woman in front of him was not his lover, nor a family member that would warrant that he gives her such attention. One that anyone who knew him better, would confess that he wasn't a man who had such a loving heart, but just like they always say, there's a first time for everything.<br /> As he wanted for her to wake up, he could slowly feel his patience running off and all he wanted to do was to jerk her up, and have her repeat what exactly was the significant conversation that had brought them both here.<br /> "Sir?" Leo, his personal assistant called for his attention, and for the first time he looked away from the red hair who was sleeping soundly, towards him, his face showing how annoyed he was, for him to interrupt his thoughts.<br /> But he had to remind himself that Leo was one of his trusted men, and the only one who could put up with a jerk like him, so he snapped at him, arrogantly.<br /> "What? Don't tell me that mother is not feeling okay, I have a lot on my table right now,Leo." He said, his cold green eyes searching Leo's own for the affirmation that he had settled everything, that brought them out here before coming over here.<br /> "That's not the point,sir. Unfortunately your grandfather has been notified about the situation." <br /> It was like a bee stung him, when he heard Leo tell him that his grandfather knows about the woman lying on the bed, and he wasted no time standing up, pushed him to the wall before grabbing him by his throat.<br /> "Who told him about her? I had everything covered, how did it get to that old snake?"He roared, but the door had to open at that moment and the doctor in charge of the young woman chose this ungodly hour to walk in.<br /> It made him move away from Leo but not without his eyes, threatening to kill him if he didn't get away from his sight, before he snapped at the doctor, he was done waiting.<br /> "I must say doctor, I am a man of little patience, but now it seems to me that you think this is a joke, but if i were you i would do everything in my willpower to wake that woman up right now." The young man pointed at the sleeping lady, it was very evident in the tone he used towards her that he loathed everything that made him be here tonight, but it's not as if he had a choice.<br /> "Actually Mr.Russo, i am afraid i can't release the result of the test without the young lady being involved here too." Dr. Rosalie said, as she looked at the intimidating eyes of Giovanni Russo, the youngest billionaire to top the business world, before then looking at her poor girl, who had no idea what trouble she was in because the young man seemed not to have any intention of being here more than just a night.<br /> But it seemed luck was on his side, because as intimidating as he looked, she couldn't let that fear overrun her instincts to do what's right, because as soon as he was about to say something else, the young lady was up and rubbing at her eyes, before she finally looked at their way.<br /> Marissa Diàz.<br /> That's her name.<br /> Her eyes widened when it fell on Giovanni, and the doctor could finally see what this was all about. But she could do nothing, since Giovanni could wipe her whole existence from the earth and that of her family, thereby she behaved.<br /> "Well, look who finally decide to wake up?" Giovanni said, unamused before he strolled over to where Marissa sat on the bed, his hands itched to strangle her to the wall, and get the truth out of her at a faster pace.<br /> But he reminded himself of the possibility of what she's saying being the truth, and besides a doctor was here after all, so he waited but rather smiled at seeing that she was scared of him.<br /> That's right, darling. You should be scared.<br /> He grinned, before looking at the doctor beckoning the woman to do her thing, to which she walked over to where Marissa sat, with her breath hitching up while she prayed in her heart if there was a god out there to hear her prayers.<br /> "The results are out, Miss Diàz and i guess congratulations are in order." Doctor Rosaline said, and looked at Marissa who touched her stomach and on cue, she smiled at her.<br /> "Congratulations Miss Diàz. You are pregnant."<br /> Chapter Two: Marissa, The Loner And Introvert Is Going To A Party.<br /> "Finally, it's a wrap."<br /> Marissa said with a yawn, as she loosened the apron around her waist, while getting her clothes from her locker room, in a haste to get home to the comfort her bed provided. She needed that desperately since today was a long day, and she couldn't wait to close her eyes even if it's just for two hours.<br /> The young lady worked as a waitress at a famous diner in the city, it was a competitive work in the sense that the popularity the diner had attracted a whole lot of customers, and ofcourse interested workers who wouldn't mind taking up the job at working at 'Malcolm' diner had made the employees over there, to step up in their work of they wanted a place right there.<br /> Marissa Diàz is an orphan, well that was what she told everyone, because considering how terrible her relationship with her mother had gotten over the years, since the death of her father. She ran away from home, to escape an abusive mother who remarried just to curb the loneliness that spranged up at the death of her father.<br /> Marissa didn't have the best life like any other girl out there can boost off, having to fend for herself at the age of sixteen, the daily struggles and battling with depression and loneliness were the only constant things happening in her life.<br /> Whereas the young lady has lost the zeal that there would ever come a time where things would get brighter in her life, just like every other girl out there, Marissa always wished for the Barbie girl lifestyle, but as always it's always a wish that never comes true.<br /> At a point, when she experienced her first heartbreak, when her first boyfriend, Ryan was banging another girl on her bed, in her room. She fell into depression and the zeal to live was gone until she met her,Sasha.<br /> "Boo!" <br /> "Sasha what the hell is wrong with you?" Marissa said, touching her chest to calm her racing heart, as she looked at her side to see her best friend laughing at her scared face.<br /> She does this everything, and she always falls victim to her playful tactics. Marissa got annoyed with her laughter, as the other girls who were present in the changing room were already leaving for the day. She took her bag and flung it at her, but she caught it " You do this every time.''Marissa said with a frustrated grunt.<br /> "And your face gets me everytime, Marie." Sasha said, coming closer as she took her clothes from her hand, while Sasha wrapped her arm around her neck as they both stood in front of the mirror."You look horrible."Sasha confessed.<br /> "This job is draining the life out of me, but i need the job i can't seem to bear the thoughts of going astray one day and Mr.pere…."<br /> Marissa's anxiety about her work took over, and she couldn't help it ,but as always Sasha was in cue to stop her.<br /> "Hey, sweetheart. It's okay, nothing is going to happen okay. You are just being paranoid about this work, you need a break." Sasha suggested, but she looked at her immediately to tell her how impossible what she was asking for wouldn't happen.<br /> "Girl, am just kidding, okay." Sasha laughed, before she relaxed her mind."But i just want to tell you that no matter what happens, I will be here for you Marissa, you have got absolutely nothing to worry about, okay?"<br /> Marissa tried to control her tears, but she wasn't strong like Sasha. Every girl needs a best friend like Sasha. God! She didn't know what she would have done without her.<br /> Sasha didn't really have a pathetic life like her, her family were among the middle rich although she hasn't really gotten to know what exactly her parents do, or the reasons why Sasha works this job with her, the only good reason she got out of her was that she needed a distraction from family problems.<br /> Marissa said nothing but hugged her," what would i do without you?" She asked rhetorically, while Sasha rubbed her back lovely.<br /> But their moment were ruined when the door was swung open, and a<br /> an angry looking Mr.Peters asked from the doorway." Ten minutes more and you get to sleep in here, Marilyn." <br /> "It's Marissa, Mr.Peters, and thanks for the update though."Marissa said with a frown on her face, she watched as he left before getting rid of her uniform. He always gets her name wrong and did she forget to say that Mr.peter hates her?<br /> "So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Sasha asked, a little giddier than she is, and Marissa didn't need anyone to tell her what this was about.<br /> Sasha was a social butterfly, unlike her who would rather spend her free time reading romantic novels, watch binged horror movies and sleep for the rest of the day.<br /> Unlike Sasha, Marissa could say that she hated being around people, she preferred her free time and Sassha was not going to coerce her into leaving her comfort zone, no ..no. it's definitely not happening.<br /> "Oh! Please don't tell me this is what i am thinking about is?" Marissa said, while she took her purse and they were out of the diner.<br /> "Seriously Marissa, you didn't even let me tell you what it is before showing that you are not interested."Sasha complained, giving her puppy eyes so she could give in.<br /> Marissa looked away from her, but she hopped over to where her gaze was." Fine, what is it about?"<br /> "My brother's birthday is on saturday, i got invited, but i don't want to go alone. You know my family and i had been having issues…" Sasha paused, trying to find the right words to express what exactly she wanted to say.<br /> "And you are taking me along for support."Marissa completed her words.<br /> "Yeah, Sweetheart. I heard my elder brother would be present and we aren't the best cliqued brother and sister. So please, Marissa. Come with me, I promise it will be fun." Sasha begged.<br /> "I don't know Sasha, you know party and stuff aren't my thing…"Marissa tried to complain.<br /> "I know sweetheart, I know, but it's time you stop wishing to find the right person by just reading romantic novels, Marissa."<br /> Marissa rolled her eyes when she understood what this was about," I am not dating any of your brothers, Sasha. I am not good with people."<br /> "Don't say that yet, you would love it, Marissa."Sasha clapped her hands, while making a dreamy face. It was evident that she had something planned in mind, but Marissa wasn't prepared for any of her match making plans.<br /> "Yeah, as long as you keep the men away. I'm good."<br /> "So, does it mean you are coming?" Sasha's loud voice was heard, as her overexcitement made the passerby to look at the both of them, earning a cautious look from Marissa.<br /> "Do i look like i have a choice?"The young lady said, and Sasha yelped in excitement, making Marissa worried, because for someone who said that it was her brother's birthday, she's over excited.<br /> She didn't know if that's something to be bothered about, but she had to let her wandering mind rest. She gets worried easily but making going out with Sasha would not be a bad idea..<br /> So yeah, Marissa Diàz, the loner and introvert is going to a party!<br /> Chapter Three: Where Is Giovanni?<br /> New York city.<br /> ~~~<br /> "He's running late again."Edward Russo complained for the third time, to his wife who stood besides him, while trying to keep a happy face while all is not well.<br /> Apparently, they were under pressure seeing that very soon they were going going to take the words of insults thrown to them because of their immature son, Giovanni Rosso, who had refused to be on time for the private services that was being hosted in their hometown by his grandfather, has been an active member for a long time since the death of his wife.<br /> Standing besides a worried Edward Russo, who turned to look at his father engaged in a conversation with an important guest, who was doing a good job keeping his mind away from noticing that Giovanni wasn't here yet.<br /> His ever so lovely wife, Amrita Russo. The first daughter in-law to grace the family and proved her worth to the family both in business, and everything.<br /> She was the apple of the man's eyes, besides her who was trying so much not to show how panicked he was, but right now when she tried to speak up on behalf of her son, she was tackled arrogantly by him.<br /> "Come on, huni. He's probably on his way here, you know how Giovanni is, am sure Leo knows the best thing to do is to make sure he's here by all means." Amrita tried to calm Edward, when it's just for these few minutes that the reporters were busy doing a job to interview everyone present and Giovanni is not here yet.<br /> The last thing that they want right now is another scandal, that would tarnish the image of the Russo corporation. Their son, Giovanni, had made it his primal duty to be on the bad side of the media every single week.<br /> The Russo corporation was among the top five world leading oil mining companies to exist, its original founder Paul Russo was dead, his successor after his son being the man who was the reason they were gathered here today, Christian Russo.<br /> Edward being the first son of the old man, followed by his brother who was not here yet, although he's sure that his father would not miss having his whole family here, on a special occasion like this. The old man would like to invite everyone of his family, just like old times so they could dine like a loving family.<br /> "It better be just like you said, Amrita. Your son has caused me nothing but blatant headaches in the past few months, I have had enough of his immature ass, it's time he sits and assumes his responsibility as the heir to the company." Edward spat, which made her scoff at his words.<br /> "My son? Seriously Edward, you and i both know you also spoiled the boy to the wits, you can't just pin the blame on me when he starts behaving just like how daddy dearest had taught him." Amrita sneered, before looking away from him in anger.<br /> He always does this every time, when Giovanni behaves like the spoiled asshole he was, he would rather she takes the blame than him. But apparently, it was no one's fault that Giovanni was this way he is. The boy was difficult to handle, especially since he came back from the states from his studies.<br /> "Amrita..baby, I'm sorry." Edward tried to apologize, but then they were interrupted by the all familiar car that parked with a screeching sound that attracted everyone's attention over to them.<br /> The both of them didn't need any soothsayer to tell them who it was as the car door was opened by the bodyguard and Micheal, Edward's younger brother stepped out with that ever proud smile on his face.<br /> His wife, Joanna, was dressed to kill! Today was basically all about their grandfather, but she dressed like she was walking down the runway.<br /> Edward couldn't help to control his smile when he saw the annoyance that ran across his father's face seeing her. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one who didn't like the b.it.ch.<br /> The reporters were on cue to start taking pictures of them, until the next car to slide in revealed Diego, the second grandson of the Russo Family, Giovanni's cousin.<br /> "Grandpa." The bubbly one he was, as he wasted no time to run into the embrace of his grandfather, who was all smiles. No matter how bad everyone's dislike his mother, Diego was different and apparently the smile keeper of the family. Grandpa loves him.<br /> "Congratulation father, on your new hospital." Micheal said, moving forward to pay his respect to the old one.<br /> "It's not my hospital, Micheal. It belongs to the public." Christian Russo, replied back as a slight annoyance ran across his face when Joanna's voice was the next to be heard.<br /> "Congratulations, father. You didn't tell us you were back from the states?"Joanna asked as her eyes scanned across the room in the hope of finding the favorite daughter in-law, Amrita.<br /> "Maybe if you had kept in touch just like Amrita did, you would know my schedules, Judith."Christian Russo spoke harshly to her, but no one could interrupt him nor challenge him because they knew better not to do that.<br /> Joanna tried to speak up to correct the old man who didn't know her name, even after twenty years of marriage to his son. But she was held back by Micheal, who grabbed her hand as a sign to shut her up.<br /> He clearly was showing signs of Alzheimer, but no! This was no sickness or whatsoever.She knew that he was doing this in spite to remind her everyday, that she was nothing but a secretary that had seduced her boss, got pregnant and earned her space in the family register.<br /> "I don't see Edward and family, perhaps don't tell me they might have forgotten about your special day, father?" Micheal teased, a wave of happiness running through him until it disappeared when he heard his brother's voice at his back.<br /> "Finally, you all are here." Edward said with a smile, as he watched his brother grit his teeth seeing him and Amrita, until he noticed the absence of Giovanni.<br /> "Since you all are here…." Grandfather tried speaking, until he looked beyond Amrita's back to see that someone was missing.<br /> "Someone is about to be insulted." Joanna's said lowly with a chuckle, but she's sure that Amrita heard her quite alright seeing how pale she was at hearing Grandpa paused during his words.<br /> He turned instantly to look at Edward and Amrita, disappointment clearly written on his face that his favourite grandson was not here, yet and there's a big sign that he wouldn't be.<br /> "The event is about to start." Micheal reminded everyone, a satisfied grin plastered on his face.<br /> "Father, I can explain."Edward moved forward, but the look he gave him made him shut up instantly as he bent his head down in shame.<br /> Grandfather looked away from him and Amrita, towards Micheal and his family." Let's go in." While Edward had to leave with anger emitting off him, with Amrita going after him before he does something he would regret.<br /> The question on everyone's lips, where is Giovanni?<br /> Chapter Four: Narcissist Prince Charming Named Giovanni.<br /> While his parents were taking the insults of their lives at the charity event center, Giovanni Russo was asleep in his room, in between the arms of the girl he had brought home last night.<br /> He sat up with a groan, and pushed the girl away from him when he saw how clingy she was to him. This was what he hated, the ridiculous aftercare after getting what they both wanted.<br /> He's not a fool, Giovanni knew what women see at just one glimpse at him. A money bank, so instead of falling victim a second time, after surviving the first heartbreak from the woman he loved. He had given up on the quest to find love.<br /> His ex,Angela did him good and that changed everything about him. So instead of being the one who ends up getting hurt by the opposite gender, he would rather the girls fight for his attention which no woman on earth would be lucky enough to get once again.<br /> Giovanni Russo, aged twenty four years. The first grandson and heir to the great Christian Russo. A notorious playboy, who would rather spend all his money drinking and changing his girls like clothes, than to take up his responsibility as his father did.<br /> He's arrogant, a total jerk who makes everyone around him see reasons why he's such a loner. But anyway, that's how he wanted his life to be, the only thing he loved was his parents and his money.<br /> Giovanni touched his temple, a groan leaving his lips at the headache that was forming early this morning, while he scanned his eyes around his room insearch of his assistant, Leo, but the motherfxxker was nowhere to be found.<br /> He tried to sit up, but then warm pairs of hands wrapped around his waist, before he felt the body hug him from behind made him remember that he still has someone here with him.<br /> "Good morning, my love. How was your night?" The girl asked, and Goivanni being the douchebag he was, moved away when the stench from her early morning breathe hit his nostrils.<br /> "Your morning breathe didn't make me have a good night rest. Get out!" He said coldly, looking around his room for his phone. He needed to call Leo.<br /> The horrified expression on the girl's face didn't bother him, she should have known her place to talk to him like this wasn't just a one night thing.<br /> When he turned around to see that she's still in the bed, holding the bed sheets up to her chest. He became angry." Hey, didn't you hear me, I said get out. We both had a great night, and this was supposed to be a one night thing. So what else are you still waiting for?" He asked, a prideful smirk on his lips.<br /> "I.." The young woman tried to talk, but she was dumbfounded by the cold and aloof attitude coming from him. It was like she didn't expect that from him, but that's her hurting herself to say that, everyone knew Giovanni Russo.<br /> The biggest playboy in the city, so she was rather sad that she wasn't the lucky one to tell her friends that she had his attention.<br /> A bundle of cash was thrown on the bed, and she looked up to him." That would be enough for your transport, get new clothes and the remaining may keep you from whoring your ass out for the whole week." He said, a sarcastic laugh leaving his tone.<br /> "Hey! That's rude of you to call me a whore, who do you think you are?!" The girl yelled, her dignity has been insulted, and in as much as she was here because of him. She wouldn't allow him to question why she choose to live this way.<br /> How dare him question her life?<br /> Unlike him who had everything, the rich parents, a good life and whatnot. He shouldn't be an asshole to laugh at her face about her bad life.<br /> "Aww, the b.it.ch had got some fire in her." He scoffed, before he added," Now, you would learn to seal your lips, and know when to talk and who to talk to or not. I have low patience for ungrateful girls like you, now get out!" He shouted, this time around with every seriousness that had the girl scurried away for her life, but not without taking the money with her.<br /> He sighed tiredly, as he walked towards his drawer and took an aspirin drowning it down with his drink. Before the front door to his room was swung open and an impatient and worried Leo walked in.<br /> "What's got your panties in a twists, Leo. If this is about work,I am not leaving. I'm just back from the states, you can't listen to every single order from my parents." He said, turning to leave for the bathroom.<br /> "Sir, you didn't remember what today is?" Leo asked him, gulping a lump down his throat when he looked at the wall clock in his room to see how late they were.<br /> His grandfather is going to kill him!<br /> "What do you mean…" Giovanni's words was cut short, by the ringing of his phone behind the couch and he rushed up to see his father calling.<br /> What does he wants?<br /> He thought, but the worst mistake he did was by not asking Leo what was happening, by what he meant about what special thing was happening today, before he accepted the call.<br /> "Dad…"<br /> "GIOVANNI AMIR RUSSO! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!!"Edward shouted over the phone, that made him move the phone away from his ears until he caught on to something.<br /> The music playing behind the background, and his grandfather's voice shouting at his mother. His eyes widened in shock and he cut the call before turning to throw the phone at Leo, who was swift enough to catch it because he always does that.<br /> "Why didn't you tell me that today was that old man's day, you fool!" He cussed, before he ran into the bathroom.<br /> Leo said nothing while he took his time to shower, dress up and leave the house with him following behind him, as they drove down to the event arena.<br /> He was used to his ways, Giovanni was never serious with his life and everyone knew that, everyone including his grandfather, who would probably skin him alive today. He's sure of it.<br /> ------------------------------------------------------<br /> Install our App and search 🔥<The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>🔥 to read more exciting chapters | Book Lovers Hub | 19801 | https://facebook.com/100083240766650 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56374 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/22/24, 1:56 PM | 1703105779 | 1729623395 | 65 | 269725706080848 | 1.4290925879512E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202284964340275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666531 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408118260_373188798720641_487352991217428493_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=adiyVf7UWxEAX9I_rYu&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBZwQUZQ7pVvQSr0RtoRNAonpotpH9BK13vJuH_aD0HWw&oe=6588F9A9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56439 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/19/25, 1:35 PM | 1703105780 | 1737293707 | 65 | 1610629492759425 | 1 | 8.4305308400144E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 135948065135 | 0 | Orr's Jewelers | 23858516588230713 | orrsjewelers.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Orr's Jewelers | https://www.orrsjewelers.com/catalog/bridal-engagement/?brand=sylvie&type=engagement-ring | 1693328794 | 135948065135 | Orr's Jewelers | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/372905327_849444580123298_7064273833407366033_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xJHY75Eqb3MAX_VTMBG&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAv7R3G-dWC6MIj4FORJJE0DpAy4SZMLAeTeBt7JpkMQA&oe=6588D00E | person_profile | 0 | Orrs Jewelers | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/370379872_833772091438344_3643126106102792963_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-OhlblCNFJoAX-Z_yMN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDyuzVYbr4mY80nWwvfzEYjoLqZQIw-r8FECO3ktHLq9g&oe=658759F8 | 0 | 3 | Timeless elegance, designed to be forever cherished. Discover our Sylvie bridal collection at Orr's Jewelers, and Shine On. ✨ #OrrsRocks #ShineOnSylvie | Orr's Jewelers | 4676 | https://facebook.com/OrrsRocks | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56358 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/7/25, 1:29 AM | 1703105779 | 1751869777 | 65 | 370439345510465 | 1 | 1.5196222188216E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 871611042878073 | 0 | Author Maggie Dallen | 6504533840956 | maggiedallenbooks.com | Shop now | NONE | video | 5 Books for 30% Off! | "Loved this book! The characters come to life!" - Joanna | https://maggiedallenbooks.com/products/the-bluestocking-battalion-series-bundle | 1701720822 | 8.7161104287807E+14 | Author Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407721735_1422301935018484_3696510149662295267_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tS62EbT0y7oAX_BKj1q&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBLWWSxALJbpDrEmJVKG1iWHsVWmEXQZq2oSrNtP9tLlw&oe=6589387D | person_profile | 0 | Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407373730_6895071527242321_4121451144103683078_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8CmgBilGQlsAX94PpAr&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCHuhAaeLe3ZqRKvzamV4v4sGiC9HSbatS4rgTeMg1p7A&oe=658887C4 | 0 | 3 | Last week, I was a proper young lady, dreaming of adventure as I explored the caves near town. But then I stumble upon a pirate, and he mistakes me for a spy.<br /> <br /> He takes me captive, and questions me... It's almost disappointing when he realizes I'm no threat, just a dutiful daughter with my whole life planned out.<br /> <br /> He lets me go. And I assume he’ll forget all about me as I return to my predictable routine.<br /> <br /> But days later, I see him again. At a ball, and dressed like a gentleman. <br /> <br /> He ignores my suitor as he asks me to dance. And as he pulls me into his arms, he says, "Little dove, did you really think I’d let you go so easily?"<br /> <br /> BOOK: Miss Minerva's Pirate Mishap<br /> <br /> What readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /> "I loved every book in this series! It was so fun to read about each sister finding adventure and love. If you love sweet regency romances...I highly recommend these books!" <br /> <br /> Get the 5 E-Books in this bundle series and save 30% today! The PERFECT way to support the author directly.<br /> <br /> After your purchase. Receive an email with the link to the ebook. <br /> <br /> Download the books with one click and send them to your kindle, tablet, or phone. And READ!<br /> <br /> Thank you for supporting me directly! 🥰 | Author Maggie Dallen | 2617 | https://facebook.com/MaggieDallenAuthor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56199 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 6:45 AM | 1703105778 | 1723031137 | 65 | 310816681850566 | 1 | 2.9991693302574E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074063130476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016100 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408996732_1099998791379940_4760077075041094286_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DdX8GNK8IdEAX-sNOhn&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDzBVKs5tkTk-PtZR_nzun2TrQxj_2w1QNOVLW7fyIksw&oe=658785D8 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408993385_892885685361805_8844344689673814632_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pWuKNHJN7DcAX826NTZ&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCQ-sXJ5EjAoSzDp8SeWwNhgqkG4OPCLXfj__HSeTsWYw&oe=65889196 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56405 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 6:43 AM | 1703105780 | 1723030994 | 65 | 1074721330380017 | 1 | 2.7026612132174E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200979091380773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701579355 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407378422_778703364016185_1959835034146373791_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BZHOuDSIByQAX-unbu-&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDZZvKZ2CIXrcG-s1ukwWj9fpBy_eQNpWhwlunX4upmhA&oe=65884B67 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407425417_554888520171483_1146267023616455905_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WNhLla4C8QoAX9yJ_OA&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB2zdfXLxbeybRODLQq5INrIqmXrZ5AGE7YmMrAg6VEFA&oe=65887A4D | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56431 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/12/24, 12:14 AM | 1703105780 | 1723439650 | 65 | 340849088542595 | 1 | 2.8110386590383E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200871864460773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/jkbjam0gbh0sthbqrnksj02p?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701413900 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407381441_692262266368147_6042338204217540513_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jc_fxqnA11oAX-l--9T&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpaOR8tPVEvxp_JPMJtYmtUMZHXyoNNml5WvNA360NGQ&oe=6588E6BE | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407378637_330925606312978_2896868250008143577_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WImci-PNM5gAX8-rSjb&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRrfyp6tF3N6FzdRHN_1IPFIF9oMpbwWXLxud5TDfISA&oe=658882CD | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥A car accident, at their engagement party, he decides to marry another woman. She throws the engagement ring he gifted her right back at him, wishing him never to regret his decisions. She assumed she could finally let go of everything and leave, but is pulled into a room by a stranger man. His hot breath ignites the room's temperature, "Help me, I will take responsibility for you." After that night, a priceless ring is forcibly adorned on her ring finger.<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56813 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/8/25, 9:08 PM | 1703105784 | 1749434882 | 65 | 324733450329003 | 1 | 3.1937850762292E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200341096280122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/n2ubobd0mpzo0eypph03lps0?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700807877 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404717549_318424714452186_7421900292482255241_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dbdQKpW_aC8AX_M6DWO&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD97_93EmA08ER8Zqln_VYuE1gQDM6ut_UHVkgTpeV3-w&oe=6589105B | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405623125_2564188933757531_9136352234522434470_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nokAxeL3HkIAX-cYtvy&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCBMwDeV7-RFip4Sw9nOBgLwGx9HWHcpJbkfYriFEXRLA&oe=65890B59 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56436 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 7:33 AM | 1703105780 | 1723034002 | 65 | 703372354844411 | 1 | 7.263277023329E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200730041860540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701409269 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406382470_351652887515776_5925545891784025031_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fNjg6KKVsPAAX-mS4lI&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC-ASpnPx_uALlxjJdfHFij1y_f9RrHJIBCAs2tFj_k5A&oe=6587523B | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406808549_270034935663986_3751251172133380061_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vYF0WIwatoYAX-br8Yv&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA1ZzKzCbXnBD3q6of2ZIWq28Yim0RNIp_k9bsYbN19qQ&oe=658926AC | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55755 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/12/24, 5:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1723500040 | 65 | 901700938150512 | 1.514792399362E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548088809 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494402 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410424218_349836327752004_9083688605718034912_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mNbrCgNDpS0AX9hr8Qv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfByezP1ey8BmCy2jdNiQe0cXtkzB9updaSIesqje7zB7g&oe=6588F847 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410347473_1473858956809195_1518779778541326542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HwR8zqEc4PUAX9GnJII&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBZ014Tdi2l8xtMrtKPELgR4xk9r7DduteM6GvHYU9rAg&oe=6588A7A2 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55640 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/31/24, 5:17 PM | 1703105772 | 1730413048 | 65 | 1049230059530134 | 1 | 8.9707654861456E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120201852656090185 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702554864 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411200761_1491674078284299_3745407661258455466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EOxFh82925AAX9sSeK2&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6HkLvNWijtxvB1Jwa2UHmixCxUeZAzy6nHHZO-g582A&oe=6587F2B0 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411230818_1006749050415304_1897507742464913224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BXj7jqAjhQUAX978hj1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB8Ul_Ujrhewb-DTCQ7X2X7EJunMogcQ5TMP0JbhSy-6Q&oe=6589076A | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56565 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/28/24, 1:52 AM | 1703105781 | 1724827945 | 65 | 678279850767858 | 1 | 2.939732132992E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300670450596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151673 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404661022_874428740728052_177485236009779351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=swVEAbSkxTAAX-2NAIZ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAJpbhkQ9HcEmND3q7OV-I9-ZR_5uFJUb8Nl0aa1g0ohw&oe=6587A846 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404640519_366338029295464_3476437546355765904_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jVE7QpXxr9IAX8OA1kK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_s1VUNgykaZHXLiMQGr408sTiE4MYz4xih-K6CXuA8g&oe=65891390 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56576 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 10:28 PM | 1703105782 | 1747452515 | 65 | 1313481512690995 | 1 | 1.697895560697E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300668840596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151758 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404794717_859197255947973_4825104114748548063_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=spfsOd34MSkAX_yXLQ6&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCfxez4UZ4Sp4qAP3L-8ABknZKgDonILPpxUXxQ7v-0Tw&oe=6587FF78 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404724161_1450309865519627_4779252252226274206_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4ujFpn27PnEAX9bivej&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDdItNfD53_U2SDTO-PbCyg_MMldmIPUk_LZ4MPhh0_Gw&oe=65884E85 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56410 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/20/25, 10:19 PM | 1703105780 | 1737411546 | 65 | 1109653850028683 | 1 | 9.0660415085646E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120200566441210328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/272116089171849/ | 1701525858 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407623459_382070647587347_1125722353710021855_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M6vUmaqohLgAX8Cg9lr&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfD2sk6zjQJg4V1BhkmRQfBLp99Nnt5WJeOZw7uwkwOZHA&oe=65882AF0 | 0 | 3 | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment - $695.00<br /> <br /> Spacious one-bedroom apartment with large walk in closet for rent in Columbus, GA. Remodeled open floor plan close to shopping centers and restaurants. Don’t miss the chance to make this your new home. Schedule a viewing today!<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55667 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 9:38 PM | 1703105772 | 1747190312 | 65 | 724948689696891 | 1 | 1.4331922042166E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203186062260102 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611703 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409808951_1558399324960447_1549424245174653442_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zfmj67k50EkAX9QqZ63&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8g14rHCQwdVZUeZjT_xNUNQSLKY6vLvh8ghlXZCFjfQ&oe=65892AE8 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55692 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/21/24, 3:04 AM | 1703105772 | 1732158240 | 65 | 371194305488116 | 2 | 6.4168487792438E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 134903889714448 | 0 | Tukors | 120202883797090627 | www.tukors.com | Learn more | NONE | video | http://www.tukors.com/promotion/?pu=Q6WADKXPCIF6 | 1702569212 | 1.3490388971445E+14 | Tukors | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411029051_324140557078841_1188121295366507721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1gIlibXrklYAX_rp0Kc&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA-8pxdlwgal_7zmxu9U-WhU5N4wp62YndrAhSZEWjw9w&oe=65888B89 | person_profile | 0 | TUKORS | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409844471_1099029471259234_143016486257394765_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JB_UmJIUUTgAX-bAADx&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBfEObzRiazOSdb5GPI8zGFCnkQoMPuJ2rQWUWSLT27Qg&oe=6587A30A | 0 | 3 | "그 사람은 입이 무거워서 믿을 수 있어."<br /> Be friends with a Heavy-mouthed person!<br /> <br /> Let's Learn Korean with Tutor Joanna!<br /> <br /> #learningkorean #koreanlanguage #hangul #hangeul #韓国語 #韓国語勉強 | Tukors | 18 | https://facebook.com/Tukors1 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56393 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/19/25, 7:34 PM | 1703105780 | 1747701260 | 65 | 863891701936928 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202275410320275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701655322 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407347651_135215069685881_7765244896969541099_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vyMK7Z4-t7IAX_Y62fN&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCnhXOOvJNSG_MK8I19MQ5Rc0qQhObxGoM_0ugjuTsc_A&oe=6587BAAB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55932 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/9/24, 2:48 PM | 1703105775 | 1733777306 | 65 | 261607319929392 | 1.4010282708114E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207707807340456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390808 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408179813_870075304590900_3506952896735288972_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gQKC4IR3cXUAX_5bBQ4&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBoBjKHcczvhDPDnRVqBeX5YYqf9IOVvU9I0gl51TQaNQ&oe=65891CDE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56248 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/7/25, 10:28 AM | 1703105778 | 1751902089 | 65 | 199466446552351 | 1 | 8.9540236558611E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 123175727552241 | 0 | Gotoz Shop 235 | 120203991054010385 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls18?color=black&size=&product=unisex-sweatshirt | 1701943814 | 1.2317572755224E+14 | Gotoz Shop 235 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409036313_1427376198162628_8149187275454112122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1QkpH5OzGUMAX_zTRWH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAHRonUKLEfv-kuzeNgMfKHnpkePE1kxbxJJm5dEevvvQ&oe=65884C56 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls18%3Fcolor%3Dblack%26size%26product%3Dunisex-sweatshirt&h=AT2prLbdVFQ_LRfi2eyP-9QTl2zgOlZp-SatDFRAsRK0H0oyjGNf8_h651ASbooiu5rXHU__f65rgghIQpNRkDtjOZFpTH9jUgWiUI-KC_kJ8CsiaHnf_tX5TdDe4NBHFpcO-lpiV22-UFEFBlbTfw3ebdfb2w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls18?color=black&size&product=unisex-sweatshirt</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0k9kj5SRpUNSkw1_Fi7yP2Z3epO7vAegt_JaG2QBgllSuttH6dfYbU6YEAPkk5p4KQw5SPWs7URujvRG5Kdh9TyD4_8ftClHO0ESAOD_z5VfD9PGdOHlZggkynk0ktIHZUDltqUe_gdNddUtgCmc6BzWwXgg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Gotoz Shop 235 | 1 | https://facebook.com/61552039165049 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55403 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/19/24, 11:03 PM | 1703105769 | 1734671000 | 65 | 338899545605026 | 1 | 3.776836179754E+14 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 108835815314809 | 0 | simsoftly | 120205459523350226 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/simsoftly | 1702934088 | 1.0883581531481E+14 | simsoftly | https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/408447498_255837087449740_6727225094519452195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=Mn1vRjEXu-0AX_jbhvH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfCbjag36US2MhGIRUGKtugJGnpH9xew4r0_0MBFOvx2KA&oe=6589140E | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Ali | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412363492_1573684989833094_519232095236592678_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qn7kpOYApysAX_47gr2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBCaBXtCNrxC5yykPYjc_somdZBTIN1WtsIFZXWQJtNKg&oe=65891455 | 0 | 3 | Joanna ✨<br /> <br /> ……………………………………………………………………<br /> Credits and thanks to CC and Pose creators!<br /> ……………………………………………………………………<br /> <br /> #thesims4 #sims4game #thesims #sims4 #sims4customcontent #sims4cas #thesims4cas #sims4createasim #maxismatch #sims4mm #sims4mmcas #sims4maxismatch #simmer #simming #ts4 #maxismix #sims4maxismix #casmaxis #sims4gameplay #createasim #simstagram #simstagrammer #simmer | simsoftly | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/simsoftly | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56488 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 1:25 AM | 1703105781 | 1723271123 | 65 | 1446713229528679 | 6.6188194936214E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203681734790226 | play.google.com | Use app | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1662468060%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 1701256539 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404763001_735863031779815_3651833085392326176_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=olhLtH9-M6QAX-kT9Bi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA6cqydjJTQblO35iISGUcB1e-vv5QU_DxrkITAn_76ZQ&oe=6588A3A2 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405713679_3739556653000385_3029514349507632844_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=I_F2AAHwdUgAX-pbG0L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLzCWyIaDDsXnYBTVWDqh_4GNPjUHuMzUvKEYYeeVNSA&oe=6587C7C2 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | USE_MOBILE_APP | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55592 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/20/25, 3:51 PM | 1703105771 | 1737388260 | 65 | 892552442381754 | 1 | 1.7494852988849E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203925298560613 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/3bw5npofyz0yjotryds4lqbb?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702632389 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411187847_791896839362973_5495089361095405948_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oaNi1lEm5TwAX8EC0rY&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCvqeVjzeq31HlEM9ReCsxDFkQHQnQ5xOhX4WFpBw1OeA&oe=658749F3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!" | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55259 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686739 | 65 | 1775074486259056 | 2 | 1.2240310095171E+14 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23858300666650562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔴Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1692631707 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/368242123_2506831992818648_8365173657155055232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0cjrFEPYG8UAX9Nnhfs&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3GxTELG_opmiQqUaRt40cCxkT6kt-N3qQpgbJM9V23Q&oe=65876A44 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Co …On. … Żeby on, ….dlaczego on <br /> <br /> TYMI pytaniami zaczynają rozmowy ze mną kobiety, które być może tkwią w nierównych relacjach i powielają bolesne wzorce miłości. <br /> <br /> Wiesz, jak to rozpoznaję? <br /> <br /> Właśnie po tych pytaniach<br /> <br /> DLACZEGO ON…<br /> ŻEBY ON… <br /> CO ON…<br /> <br /> Nic o sobie, mało uwagi na siebie.<br /> Za to cała uwaga na niego. <br /> <br /> ……..<br /> <br /> Ona- ostatnia w kolejce do siebie. <br /> <br /> Za jego potrzebami<br /> Za jego czasem- to ona dostępna bardziej<br /> Za jego bez decyzyjnością<br /> Za jego ….<br /> <br /> A potem u niej<br /> <br /> # huśtawka emocji, <br /> # udawana radość, a pod nią ból, tęsknota, lęk przed samotnością <br /> # pytania- dokąd to zmierza, <br /> # co dalej, <br /> # co ja naprawde znaczę,<br /> # co on robi…<br /> <br /> Albo jeszcze<br /> <br /> # co ze mną jest nie tak, <br /> # czy On mnie chce…<br /> # co zrobić, aby wreszcie się zdecydował …<br /> <br /> To powiem wprost- wzorzec miłości BOLESNY <br /> <br /> I krótka mocna teza: <br /> <br /> Jeśli nie widzisz siebie jako priorytetu<br /> <br /> On też Cię NIE WIDZI JAKO PRIORYTETU. <br /> <br /> Ale, to NIE jest Twoja wina.<br /> <br /> To NIEŚWIADOME Twoje zachowania, emocje, myśli, reakcje, które działają dokładnie przeciw temu, czego pragniesz w związku. <br /> A on swoim zachowaniem, jak w lustrze tylko Ci to odzwierciedla. <br /> <br /> DOBRA WIADOMOŚĆ JEST TAKA. <br /> Że możesz te wzorce "odczarować". <br /> <br /> A jak zechcesz być priorytetem. <br /> Siebie musisz postawić wewnętrznie jako priorytet. <br /> <br /> Jedną SWOJĄ decyzją zacząć GŁĘBOKĄ transformację.<br /> Siebie i tej relacji. <br /> <br /> Kliknij i odbierz 1 sze wideo/ Poznaj 3 ślepe punkty, przez które wchodzi się w nierówne związki<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT3QJC8odxj7EZNpEhKuvlZSAKxY7Jb0kFO0JyoC_o-fmD_59UbAHoK1CwJ9GjyNO51jVdP6tuOqjXINBtD-UKMI7k3YXCwoA72VxhRJUSkYYMTnkxlfE7orPKvyGXp9ketMDWL9NDJ5aLj0WP2ICQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> i dołącz do kursu Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości. | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56578 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 2:13 AM | 1703105782 | 1723274001 | 65 | 3676625995954173 | 2 | 6.948599559537E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300676150596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151573 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405640979_1429526347601696_8978102572269323512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h_n0BL4J4vMAX8CnePl&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDmcCGCEnEFVzLZzb45dHawSlpwo4WBBS09R9odV6Lg9w&oe=658760CC | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406513875_1669565883448967_3333913800727783364_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UlAGtyGvwewAX8Y-Tti&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDUbzXbnxjkk6lvQXLzfVipLhAwBqdoOpNpt04HQL6FzA&oe=65881823 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55502 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/20/25, 4:51 PM | 1703105770 | 1737391866 | 65 | 697655729137748 | 1 | 2.0514982750299E+15 | 1702886400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103267065679041 | 0 | joanna_davis_art | 120203848584930299 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joanna_davis_art | 1702739777 | 1.0326706567904E+14 | joanna_davis_art | https://scontent-mia3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/240507935_285702440025534_4051986472213160999_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=RLviUV_yN_cAX8NRasM&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBBObCZDaIbhnwdUkRhQmjrGv8B1Nm-zZOfGfE6zYn59Q&oe=658933A5 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Ｊｏａｎｎａ Ｄａｖｉｓ Ａｒｔ | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411436436_892445035892358_7158479638545946035_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NJ3HeZ_uM68AX8IFVlO&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCY6OG_xJwYMZ77vjVk9uMPwDmTpSzzLF0yMdP-q8072Q&oe=65884EB9 | 0 | 3 | When a group of 4 chaps get together and arrange a 40th Birthday commission for their pal…<br /> <br /> I am thrilled to say that I get commissions from all walks of life, but this is a first from a group of lads. 👌🏻<br /> <br /> In fact I don’t know if you guys know this but I always ask for the history behind a request as I like to have an emotional connection with what I paint. <br /> <br /> So when I asked for the story behind this piece, this was the email thread that followed…<br /> <br /> Email 1: “Err, so we’re thinking of a painting for a mate.” <br /> <br /> Email 2: “Of Portscatho, and the lugger, it is Portscatho isn’t it chaps? Not the other one with a P?”<br /> <br /> Email 3: “Yeah, Portscatho - it’s hard to say after a load of rattlers that’s how I remember.”<br /> <br /> Email 4: “The Birthday boy (its his 40th) likes to jump off the lugger in his tighty whities to the Baywatch theme tune, but don't worry about painting him in it.”<br /> <br /> Email 5: “So when can you paint it by as his Birthday was two weeks ago?”<br /> <br /> Brief summary (no pun intended):<br /> <br /> - Location? Portscatho (81% certain.)<br /> - Has to have the lugger in it.<br /> - Colours? Not fussed.<br /> - Size? Do we need a size? Just whatever you think.<br /> - Framed? Yeah, because he’ll probably drop it, so best it’s protected.<br /> <br /> Fabulous, I’ll crack on. <br /> <br /> 𝙿𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚘 𝙻𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 : 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚍.<br /> <br /> Happy Fryday 😉☀️ peeps. | joanna_davis_art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joanna_davis_art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55646 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/20/24, 10:52 PM | 1703105772 | 1732164734 | 65 | 1285102948797257 | 1 | 1.4597732382672E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045590120514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611237 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409759609_370791675491146_1922717916226154851_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U8fpyIP-vBkAX_GmC-c&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBzjWZkNl6X3sh4bbSz5IqCxcZrpt8oR-do1KrYFJ_fcQ&oe=65888E5E | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411160097_1626440301458063_3267526543724004231_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ny1lD520XLkAX9tKFDL&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMKkrIeGBQuDp4bSgXI46Z0HxaTRqxvKpnfJZLb2enow&oe=6587FAFA | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56402 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 8:35 AM | 1703105780 | 1723037726 | 65 | 202109159611774 | 1 | 9.9944095112151E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200979096440773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701579364 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406768396_258098380600522_162874708484154883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RcmFfb88_ZYAX9DBwt6&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDNZijWT5-sOu_vxzU54ck9f1LZftDuCp2XwoarzPgbOg&oe=6587EADF | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406692564_1467017227216535_5530773846130160064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D8tuP1tnUHQAX9tmk4O&_nc_oc=AQmvIAu6kaVsZHvXLVXUYPdq0K8eX9etr26vVERSzEC18QB1NxxOpCenfjEIWOoWtWo&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDbimzs0TRcCW9UvT0lhqKwpNPE-CZOLdmWLdAnBsVQpg&oe=6587A759 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55315 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 8:40 AM | 1703105768 | 1723038053 | 65 | 1806101319849965 | 1 | 2.669385663961E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476685310743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977405 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412371871_231836313280569_4218949248195234110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eCeLLn_OKOwAX_k7wov&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDtV1XZSrL3NH8aw7rvAS5bPfYNLeFo18c9wq6_mxMzXQ&oe=6588C77D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412402929_911430803685760_2815556711425593670_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uYHcxDeUMFIAX-qgJbg&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfByzTv_ALpkgzCbchubEN7r2WtIrR9Pak-8PTd7sAQmBw&oe=65890D0D | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56300 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 3:30 AM | 1703105778 | 1723278623 | 65 | 332272636332196 | 1 | 1.0907295254325E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458763140691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856255 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405480717_876270483909307_5939670098736096752_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=za20EFIkBooAX9qoNoL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9SvwwsUyoTIAcrUsehxeFk6T72vsaLl1ODg8MP9J6LQ&oe=6587E6A5 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408367887_1597784800965853_3360968522685113110_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q52hjnD7pVAAX9cKbKs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDERuoHorWODhYFgZ12619eitLCgosuzyKmGWG1EYyMWw&oe=65875F28 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56286 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 9:18 AM | 1703105778 | 1723040335 | 65 | 743119861196587 | 1.0403142506366E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259960510 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899283 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409046253_1413860032498256_4956402802396163249_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9o2BAgiASCUAX-bzZ2L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFkuTF13gyu6yzQCiBiIn61KH-aCbIj8UhJ67aGHIqZg&oe=658863D7 | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408832148_671086504874885_9092752524763886807_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=scZWxGK0TZMAX81r6ul&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAVMluM-Sg7shjwzCKTQNpPo26_H5k35m_EZjPXRGAixQ&oe=6589084F | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55442 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/11/25, 5:45 AM | 1703105769 | 1741689951 | 65 | 909160866965269 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202487608690307 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702879540 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412248888_741416878018142_491760371901094116_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4gPsCnkY8PEAX-aUa_h&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD4x-Zgs08307wI4FnmOnlZmmY8-emoXJIDjw8jemNVpQ&oe=6587E9AC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55661 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 6:23 PM | 1703105772 | 1746573816 | 65 | 750882080004690 | 1 | 1.7476404524271E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112243818028359 | 0 | Niko Stories | 120202962046080340 | parentztalk.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers: The Hidden Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://parentztalk.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-ua/ | 1702585359 | 1.1224381802836E+14 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411071597_678124060971259_8157837257031166975_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4rNFswUg3KAAX9sWlt9&_nc_oc=AQl2C9uAkmSyAepvuvXZd5wyueWH-nw1Hbh50ZeiE4hiBREOOV-b0Hw8mNXJCIZioTh4Os2I5n3fGOc22W4XKUtQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtlEPehViNcBXVK3qmBVB1jLaDwCzTee667xWYUgLqDg&oe=65878F87 | person_profile | 0 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411065737_1618126915594119_5764911130639748120_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7QiLn8y8aQQAX_tvDzW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAfZesrkqe3tGOfwXOBhvqDP-ZynEtSzSqYCGM6tlutWA&oe=65881C8B | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Niko Stories | 21 | https://facebook.com/100079533857132 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55890 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 6:25 PM | 1703105774 | 1746573958 | 65 | 1168885817410812 | 3.4194752855997E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1684359575156741 | 0 | Abby Sage | 6500416187489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702079839 | 1.6843595751567E+15 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408711340_336894498972173_676335961937349080_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jZi9OrxWJpwAX_FdZ1F&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBLFHW65FSfXP7x4quHRPkx9mAMO-fMqx5FFw0RuSRneg&oe=65884DDF | person_profile | 0 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408719456_1505731616875409_8747921480596942487_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G6VujVzB9MoAX8M6FoL&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSUxXxi5Jl6lVIV-aCdajo-8BxgSHX1FfSVawiVTbvrg&oe=6587F336 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Abby Sage | 457 | https://facebook.com/AbbySageMusic | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55514 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970812 | 65 | 691643032760871 | 1 | 1.1042155838026E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765878580465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702464 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411411724_760378692587608_1722126252132088174_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gb6yw77IcVIAX-JGL66&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDAnOAczjC8BiULOK0t0PzpF5bWrNBg0nUu_MSBhBIILw&oe=6588EFA3 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411301931_2578465148995462_7242559667828498027_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c_w1qFeo5l8AX-hYtIe&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCCqwJIcFiAu55JD20gr4PjdcqXBGXj78LGOooff2hMhQ&oe=65884320 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55631 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/31/25, 11:38 PM | 1703105772 | 1748752704 | 65 | 737174478432054 | 1 | 1.5936431511695E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204044840510514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702610518 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236444_1822234524892890_7963473913856183074_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RW0pEkNhqHkAX9HstIL&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBGdHsqjMfwbXyo6NWjqtBkHVgDiPcg-MUn9X-a1VdzfQ&oe=65876C71 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411275676_1096027701579204_3963083674108869724_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Wl3yw-m5A4AX909wtY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6UqCqtsBAHLnUvPjC8zfulO52f_wEmZaxD_3mnDTPlA&oe=65886BED | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55256 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/8/25, 11:47 PM | 1703105768 | 1749444445 | 65 | 3616073901961519 | 2 | 1.1621258614114E+15 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859053005670562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1694111919 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/376747118_3369985706665473_2680235884606967382_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i3pqoItXjBQAX_ui-Se&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDpH38fRAtJBT-dqLLKJ7bPKiUYbpe4kk0tltLENsSk7Q&oe=6588CCD1 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | ❤Jak rozpoznasz kiedy KOBIETA daje z siebie za dużo w relacji i brakuje jej miłości do siebie?<br /> Poznasz PO ZACHOWANIACH:<br /> <br /> 1. Z sercem i czująca dopasowuje swój czas i plany do jego preferencji.<br /> <br /> A te preferencje to często inne rzeczy ważniejsze niż ona.<br /> Ona, na ostatnim miejscu w kolejce.<br /> <br /> 2. Godzi się na jego zachowania, które są dla niej w rezultacie bolesne.<br /> I nie pasują jej do końca.<br /> <br /> Ale robi to, bo ma po prostu uczucia, zależy jej, chce dobrze.<br /> Do tego usprawiedliwia je, uzasadnia, aż kipi empatią. <br /> SWOIM KOSZTEM. W jej wyniku bardziej cierpi, czuje się wydrenowana z energii, zamiast spełniona i kochana. <br /> <br /> 3. Wydziera zdrowe i dobre zachowania prawie siłą.<br /> <br /> Czuje się, jakby stąpała po ruchomych piaskach.<br /> Im bardziej chce coś opanować, doprowadzić do normy, tym bardziej się zapada.<br /> <br /> 4. W większości ona bardziej chce, organizuje, myśli, wkłada wysiłek.<br /> <br /> A on bierze. Przyjmuje. Korzysta.<br /> <br /> 5. Świetnie potrafi go zrozumieć , dlaczego ON czegoś nie może, współczuje mu, ale siebie w tym nie widzi.<br /> A on nie podejmuje wyzwań, osiada na "laurach” i nic nie zmienia w sobie. <br /> <br /> 6. A do tego myśli o sobie “co ze mną jest nie tak “i stara się zmieniać,<br /> aby On ją chciał.<br /> <br /> 7. Tłumi swoje emocje, kiedy dociera do niej, że coś tu nie gra. Nie mówi wprost, co jej nie odpowiada. <br /> <br /> Czasem dlatego, że obawia się utraty tego co jest, czasem dlatego, że obawia się , że swoje oczekiwania uważa “ za zbyt… wygórowane, nierzeczywiste…<br /> <br /> 8. Analizuje co on mówi, przywiązuje się do słów. A nie widzi przepaści pomiędzy słowem a czynem. <br /> <br /> Robisz tak? <br /> Twoja to wina? <br /> Nie. <br /> I możesz to w sobie zrównoważyć, bez lęku, że wszystko co dobre będzie stracone. <br /> Zacznij tutaj, jeśli tego nie zrobiłaś. <br /> Dołącz do mini kursu z maxi efektami ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI. <br /> <br /> Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT04LZLVYjkkqjKVtKEHzfPnkyBcYh-BSvPJaj_w0jAnaQH98WCAnW35_L3OpAbTeYbFCmfmG0DdFCVb64_Hkk5HovWeA6gzZKUvo0vM0n9IvwAowQDe_iRDqs0mvoSWipITSbIJmYNQhnLV6WoTEA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56394 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/21/24, 8:21 AM | 1703105780 | 1734790902 | 65 | 688728096699898 | 3 | 1.4272105615288E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101598762667562 | 0 | Blanco entertainment | 120201401851880549 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701636161 | 1.0159876266756E+14 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407664734_1071419014279118_5352456592985043744_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dh-8tjHqJFkAX-oWBYP&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAvhPbWFZciX7lAznCnRhKM9YWtElEHmE6k4PXD0mYaqA&oe=6587F931 | person_profile | 0 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407679337_1101600741218846_6557021712913678571_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5BSErlEePw0AX-k-N6W&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDPgcSzQYOswQIFnFm-NLckczg60M_jgSjaLHRpodW6eA&oe=65891C19 | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Blanco entertainment | 50 | https://facebook.com/100084702515578 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56989 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 5:55 PM | 1703105786 | 1746572141 | 65 | 2506470156201191 | 4 | 1.0995041845666E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101404241952511 | 0 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 120200721427720167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679731 | 1.0140424195251E+14 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403057964_1015805766315707_9148496957681327356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhEUB9FsQmIAX_rZsQF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7hSobv6RKTTNzZ12kXO-HcjEK8h_xG-VI0xi1i4EKgA&oe=6587D467 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 386 | https://facebook.com/100082447938895 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55658 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/13/24, 1:38 AM | 1703105772 | 1734075511 | 65 | 369663835641449 | 1 | 3.3323724037354E+15 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 331187007696379 | 0 | Joanna Nichols | 120204440011060398 | Buy now | NONE | image | Several NAME Brand sneakers, Air Jordan, Adidas Size 9.5, price is for each. | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/360615969879610/ | 1702626886 | 3.3118700769638E+14 | Joanna Nichols | regular_page | 1 | Joanna Nichols | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409872679_24282711984677342_357379366652464104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n1gW1k9DOjsAX_GA_Ny&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAik-tmeQdUKjgi8aIsrXuxg7aCJk72JtAG6cnSknAY_g&oe=65874A89 | 1 | 3 | Several NAME Brand sneakers, Air Jordan, Adidas Size 9.5, price is for each. - $50.00<br /> <br /> Lightly used Air Jordan, Adidas, Nike sneakers, Size 9.5, various styles<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Nichols | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100001247890964 | 0 | BUY_NOW | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55249 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/17/24, 6:22 PM | 1703105768 | 1729207370 | 65 | 355230186889991 | 1 | 6.8652369011879E+14 | 1699948800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 120201748533630563 | https://projektbogini.com.pl | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://jestemkochanka.pl/on-twoim-lustrem-2-2/ | 1698754688 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/395612759_245847431821324_4846821833351916431_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VPAeZbsj314AX-ukQ9x&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfACS_yHiHgPCXwCHfpUB9lBKdYUbwvp3sLzhq0fPzUfTg&oe=6588CA7E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1698735600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56221 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/17/25, 1:59 AM | 1703105778 | 1744873181 | 65 | 1559097874629070 | 2 | 2.0526791929435E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 171312692737041 | 0 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-28 | 120201385026710511 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your Family | JOANNA-A67 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a67-1 | 1702020077 | 1.7131269273704E+14 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-28 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408744641_1035041264421759_513635964106681751_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZQDjHBkA6T0AX-SPORi&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAzyds7PbMZVQEffPMkpi82GZ3dTdD_JtRHodRzTkzTsw&oe=658905DE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3OjhLVB5chjQq5orx86rFhKM8wXipY4Md09wdtmxJnLBuTVKWet5uNdBl9gl5jV4Wye9HLFru_s5ept36bAZ_d_UAC0F_txTKbz7wGaLutNHjWRUC0sUGeYA43wW7S517jM6Q7jymJguNDz6b5QPdAUiW5qVZPG3XzbA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | FamilyShirt A16Nu-28 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61554327626516 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56189 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/8/25, 6:13 AM | 1703105777 | 1751973222 | 65 | 2321585991375202 | 2 | 3.1333757819738E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672503400427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030349 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407786377_871184241168477_3706845952884940669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d0qfF3wvoqAAX8m9rsZ&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAZRG0i8iXqw7XIx2PhhoYHo7jSS-MG72ThhoLiDARyZQ&oe=6587DB02 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409223528_3596606960657184_4841716792199821295_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K0RD6an2vh0AX8v7i3u&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDh6E3jDWdu8PGexyT4FPzUjRENfqE8GcnZFekcZSZ4Ww&oe=6588FC70 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56601 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 1:19 AM | 1703105782 | 1747721989 | 65 | 693735759389820 | 2 | 2.0955220407935E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715936720115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140276 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406237945_900694788065543_7865226488944873817_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZVG6BYwYvz4AX-DKyZG&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBV_SQt_jrOyrGju4U8bpq2Qjf-q7-l9iwAWlPwFVod0g&oe=6587A913 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406256221_1378276356396808_4219456434894225660_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bYpZdD1Y3RYAX8iWl6T&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDFExKLM4L6KxVJs1wCsFdvIjem6L06rlNYfGZ-fUSluA&oe=65875ADC | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55668 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/18/24, 10:21 AM | 1703105772 | 1731946878 | 65 | 664180845912609 | 1 | 1.0784543466717E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203186046980102 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611579 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410121191_291668457202631_264080945151647310_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8MjEBjvdqEUAX_2KwO4&_nc_oc=AQlD7asrJ-BTEcbyIXpYKboM_ONOVO8XcfzPS9E3r7uHyWy-vcBlG1XHBH62shArzfED0EWSFErLLNP3mQ34MRI0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5DYOaNovemN4IQRlPjCOFPdFdBJZU7A_frZNU-_WosQ&oe=658939E9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56329 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/17/24, 7:08 PM | 1703105779 | 1729210133 | 65 | 1817718912031667 | 2 | 8.5974544916968E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113444458245067 | 0 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | 120203425079700134 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701808920 | 1.1344445824507E+14 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408001862_660875902928001_7288351034536140195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nmYqMoeLRCUAX_mMEcK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDjySXxUndWUWwtxf6CVQsgfWpWlfnRrMU-u351htXyOQ&oe=6588EA98 | person_profile | 0 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407779619_899696838490883_4175517667718841134_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZJiWxwXiBUYAX_jsD03&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeIRcWrT4XRuWNqC1xewswhKvh92HQoftd9I3PXk_4EQ&oe=65887AB9 | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Djemba Djemba entertainment | 33 | https://facebook.com/100087878262291 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56840 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 7:38 PM | 1703105785 | 1746578283 | 65 | 631416902295315 | 1 | 6.4624571772344E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207899920403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724554 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619049_673056508290503_3755473157920415936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JbSJyhUFic4AX_TRw2D&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDT4-9QQmThDiF25ycTXfv-IlrDCFsJQaX-WZwAZJrtJw&oe=65880B63 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403633458_271872072082090_8572700793952722431_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-v7PAiZoRGIAX8LfdYu&_nc_oc=AQkwmMLlqIZaVVHvV9SrSX6pJY2rimrfmmoVIpcTw_-7KVLQ9M11D_CsJ4yjhPV_JlY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBusMymT9p_vIlcNfHZnFAYq3QVZZySGe4jrzOfmt5cLg&oe=65876147 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56766 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 7:58 PM | 1703105784 | 1746579496 | 65 | 650133627280846 | 1 | 1.3831548822773E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203343748470404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700843449 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405798245_1434749167105896_7792931748134634518_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lmxRywuWHxkAX-WuE2f&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfATK9soRp-gGtYwxr87xz6HWZoFB1zKnf2-W9djYQ7Xzw&oe=6587A834 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403717355_728399339139341_7444161196881745016_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=26AAZ2hhuIwAX8g6ZGL&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiYo_3rpvkC44EwS8n7tObuDCCzTU1dYBungOsDmiS3g&oe=65876EB9 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55243 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970813 | 65 | 1224713065151582 | 1 | 1.0153700595523E+15 | 1702281600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 120201952375860563 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://jestemkochanka.pl/funnel/5u-zakup-2/5u/?op3_vid=45158 | 1699382741 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399547910_1601381990395062_4424679934651595351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dNxSVj3225QAX_Vyd4q&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD5mE7rlfxDZGo62lNChWwNBsfIwPvh0DXCW08sqAFKSw&oe=6587BBC5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700035200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55338 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 4:05 AM | 1703105769 | 1747731902 | 65 | 1596548971101469 | 1 | 2.1851904718224E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207260706970777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | image | The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702966493 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412288482_721644279599454_3362131360180881043_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MGi2K4wfvj0AX9sIDXV&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmVkH0zDGV2hh-llrl0OPQFCTaruyk-k0psC5kJS2RGg&oe=65883A47 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412324449_1381022962838235_3995368882505498603_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uRuE2LDM_nwAX_P_U79&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCV8Tqd0XM5mpidmil6qHc3HxfvDZ6Q_cho4JjrhWjh8A&oe=65879075 | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56702 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970813 | 65 | 1049702752893345 | 2 | 2.7543289549886E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674070250115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969843 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406129681_1041649250287418_373640837266725952_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qBYsrZWr0-UAX9Ch4cO&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDrAoM0bp1BSlperBX7iSxJUQ_wTW8kyDak-5XoG3buJw&oe=6587F899 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405789135_1114599526586129_5224439648903918200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y6XWk_MMbj0AX-O-tM1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfANnm2b3kxmgiYkO2Ztr48zTlc470feRUHTSnYDghpGzQ&oe=6588EDA0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55367 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 10:22 PM | 1703105769 | 1746588174 | 65 | 936507677813294 | 14 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951472390043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963076 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411079635_975606220419557_7407835480805041454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-vzBmDh9HBgAX86zLFd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAv5Q9KS9Md3zJfon70SLcCiUSX1p6f_Jx9S81X3LKcaw&oe=65885548 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55305 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/16/24, 8:15 PM | 1703105768 | 1723857319 | 65 | 720559273375923 | 1 | 6.3978104813904E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534145793696 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996734 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411048835_1527622101304985_7666650493482841124_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tg0VPu3THQ8AX9-ymX-&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAiaUnZLfEVk2PLJSUc_hmg45hkKTweHC1K5T1qUZSstw&oe=65876326 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411038919_1073342087420664_2515839021600401797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rduC7Pp3BFkAX-M7WCW&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAMIMUVIohVmE_YS-HXEToRxceDqKaRS9avYGpvfDGc8w&oe=65886138 | 0 | 3 | Welcome to the world baby Olivia 🌸🌸🤍🌾📸 flowers crown made by @bohobyjoannam #newbornphotography | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55546 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 7:01 AM | 1703105771 | 1724241697 | 65 | 660510705992415 | 2 | 1.5473967260209E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774758740385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633134 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409929814_7584643488231660_5578537447915409463_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LhXaIeLVvmIAX9tLbrB&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCT_5PBlbXSfpuneDVrsitmQa-W_RyZ9JWcU6NEYM1OxA&oe=65893438 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409923234_318144634449588_6932627675461488822_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pUVd1mkJksIAX-kTE8T&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAmHaLgtJ3NDCNsiyUjgtJoCoZrSgGQ-vV_bJlTZNRk-Q&oe=65887703 | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56335 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/9/25, 10:01 PM | 1703105779 | 1741575666 | 65 | 3452990458274745 | 1 | 3.4657957904178E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6523215292896 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1701810644 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407329873_1094134155363280_3346109139902678554_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IYIK7uH90yAAX_A0eo2&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBcSL99320d5cv-oys8pUJNCc166DwubomRqUEIkzg6Og&oe=6587E23F | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407369658_360528589997364_8913314693711071875_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yDL4bHCHtnMAX_Bl0U-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAk9WnaPrkndDPw6HrK8CR9FIm5qpFxLDuZEsM7yQzgWA&oe=65882FD4 | 0 | 3 | 🥰🥰🥰📸#familyphotography #newbornphotography #sweetmoment | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56353 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 10:13 PM | 1703105779 | 1743563603 | 65 | 662091492758139 | 1 | 9.1041461384194E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 995107887233488 | 0 | Boulevard | 23861504514170575 | joinblvd.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Salon Owners: Meet Boulevard | Get your demo now | https://get.joinblvd.com/salons-paid-social/ | 1697660087 | 9.9510788723349E+14 | Boulevard | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393300738_200845689697170_8648082447194007503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pchOtCyAG0cAX-Zm7cR&_nc_oc=AQmwFeCPYMQFexNUqN_XfP-EacMA3Y-z7GiAVxRETioDvCRe6oAuLLw4nZUXDGau3Q9T44VHOejpD0hYZ11xpPtx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCJ_dfzso0LwZKFhCCrDAgowpz9Z6_NCDoOp6Z7x-34iQ&oe=65881DDF | person_profile | 0 | Boulevard | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393211260_860324582166774_219146360726513048_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mvz1huIPRNYAX9FqY3B&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAgukaIr07hjJ1hPPuB-oHLXnaXZiafEgTuMZe6be305Q&oe=65887B59 | 0 | 3 | "Boulevard is the Apple of Salon Software." - Michael D., COO, Joanna Vargas | Boulevard | 2478 | https://facebook.com/joinblvd | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56003 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/21/25, 5:29 PM | 1703105775 | 1737480540 | 65 | 371980041867817 | 1 | 3.3192537644129E+14 | 1702368000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 111803854060146 | 0 | futureofskincare | 120202935926850285 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/futureofskincare | 1702332989 | 1.1180385406015E+14 | futureofskincare | https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/337892806_1157269939003584_6088003957471416812_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MEsyjtJzxuQAX_w2RM5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDeLLPA22KldvUSucrrSYQHiHxA9s7FzgkyHWXfLDYAGw&oe=6587AD99 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | FUTURE OF SKINCARE | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409737699_717529173672459_7642816185074512212_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P0jnP0lY66IAX9YYRI4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAkaQpOMHhtCg34xb0XO8SCmp0kIThB6C8NMD9RSU1yRQ&oe=6587B3E0 | 0 | 3 | During @thecare.fr pop-up event in Paris, I had the opportunity to chat with @joannaryglewicz , Founder of @oiolab Lab. She introduced us to her innovative creation, SuperPause - a rich, nourishing cream tailored specifically for skin undergoing changes during the menopausal transition, from perimenopause to postmenopause. - You can read Joanna’s interview on <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.FutureofSkin.care%2F&h=AT3AI9GlgCuBKUAhYe-ckLVW5J9gmDrZfUqEJe0h9oAomBBN4f12yMhXm5C4t_k9HpGos_vpB_WcUyUT-NrTHsf3kTCsoM_dtg8zxEcyaeB2ho3JG4AWBTKhGTfytwMIyS1826dhcZjS-gOHX08_YA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.FutureofSkin.care</a> | futureofskincare | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/futureofskincare | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55699 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/18/24, 11:20 AM | 1703105772 | 1731950442 | 65 | 647120517497540 | 1 | 7.4107454486494E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 147588432075716 | 0 | LesAtt R1 | 120202697962300171 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Try yours now👉 | AI Art Generator,AI Photo Generator, AI Imagine Generator | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fcfc.mb.mbnl | 1702548121 | 1.4758843207572E+14 | LesAtt R1 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409388630_952856499594016_5335712348710817956_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a0E1_7M7gPcAX-A-aM3&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6qh9OC-FPf5AZAxFRpRJ4f-YoreXrdSxgpMDna0IO0g&oe=65881431 | person_profile | 0 | LesAtt R1 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409480659_1318490788848008_509641160413419616_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CKNKTyqJC74AX-alvQ7&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCM0t8D3SaNH6LcjvNjeODZQyU8rB3KRfZ5koXRgY4o4w&oe=6588AD60 | 0 | 3 | 🤩AI can make your weirdest ideas come to life, try it with your own ideas! | LesAtt R1 | 8 | https://facebook.com/61551602491871 | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55980 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/21/24, 4:12 PM | 1703105775 | 1734819135 | 65 | 1004508637309008 | 1 | 9.0307223449582E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143462660670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374860 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409798321_656240776710326_3521243106407511267_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WosJ18SJDuwAX84GGan&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBZVa8BlcDFDoyjEXJPIXT2NHB6zPKoKzLAPEcHlpmhzQ&oe=65879788 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409548984_771208128176529_7939723441630856033_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DjTAWa9PS2cAX-LvMM-&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCH6ynkZY-cfWJgWk_JCjV5CSqfxqJsgn0QgagIPd9sJg&oe=658907BF | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56643 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 9:33 AM | 1703105782 | 1747751623 | 65 | 721164389909563 | 1 | 7.3281953869928E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690719000115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055973 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405006096_1534544453984014_8149742117027370995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qkKLSzYEaz8AX_au9QI&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCngPGM4pphnBTHno4Pc3waxGfHFzwb-0qHrGKMsKe4ZA&oe=65891EFF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405207266_675105651405831_1074279064256370837_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=He7Of0K6KzQAX-xshL4&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDiKwSZtxBUbcsRX4rmnj3AO5n-WGsxsAf9lz1wic-tfA&oe=65879399 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55690 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 11:53 PM | 1703105772 | 1746593636 | 65 | 801158858480499 | 1 | 1.1044990738953E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 222370042008912 | 0 | Jazz Lesson Videos | 6521240083770 | jazzlessonvideos.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Jazz Piano Fundamentals Course | http://jazzlessonvideos.com/jazzpianofundamentals | 1702574480 | 2.2237004200891E+14 | Jazz Lesson Videos | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409858876_1072794720519993_2417048052070693134_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-AZDcN3DC-oAX8ec8GN&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZbz24v3y0gk8gKhmmbH6RePNNjgWVfPKuzkooYb48ZA&oe=6588B1DF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝘇 𝗣𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼?<br /> Use code "RICHMAN25" for $25 OFF Instant Access to our NEW "Jazz Piano Fundaments" Course with Josh Richman! <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jazzlessonvideos.com%2Fjazzpianofundamentals&h=AT35yoTNdRi9Mv8HWiooVHgzH8FNF1LmRCnHmr48Ov8Qym0VIjFuO9jimjaX6SOeELM4C5a54gr0D-vpbQ9Q5kLT-aBVTG8GBlpPNzJZWxYGcj5ezf8pxHCT2Tk5ySntZcn3uDQ7MbJaz5_UVC-sKA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.jazzlessonvideos.com/jazzpianofundamentals</a><br /> <br /> Video Edit by Astrid Asmundsson<br /> Videography by Cody Williams <br /> <br /> Pianist and composer, Joshua Richman received his BA from William Paterson University in 2008. In 2010, he completed his master’s degree studying jazz piano performance at The Juilliard School. <br /> <br /> Josh has studied jazz with piano legends such as Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Barron, and classical piano with Gary Kirkpartrick. <br /> <br /> Josh is a two-time winner of the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award. Josh is currently a faculty member at Temple University and The University of the Arts, where he teaches classes, private lessons, ensembles, and conducts master classes.<br /> <br /> Josh has been fortunate to have performed with distinguished artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Randy Brecker, Peter Washington, Kenny Washington, Eric Alexander, John Ellis, Harry Allen, Tim Warfield, Jeremy Pelt, Grant Stewart, Mark Gross, Charles Fambrough, Byron Landham, Steve Laspina, Bill Goodwin, Lea Delaria, Ben Wolfe, Lee Smith, David Demsey, Rich DeRosa, Joanna Pascale, Mike Boone, and Justin Faulkner. Joshua also was the pianist for Anthony Rapp and Stephen Sondheim at the “Sondheim on Sondheim-In Words and Music” event at William Paterson University. Joshua has performed both nationally and internationally as a member of the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble. | Jazz Lesson Videos | 7770 | https://facebook.com/jazzlessonvideos | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55245 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 12:41 AM | 1703105768 | 1723527689 | 65 | 321579010626138 | 1 | 7.0625991163999E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108215147346228 | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | 120200715186310435 | joannasfashionstore.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Joanna Fashion Store | Για όσο καιρό η ιστοσελίδα μας βρίσκεται υπό κατασκευή μπορείτε να απευθυνθείτε στο 6945 148 796 | http://joannasfashionstore.com/ | 1699655457 | 1.0821514734623E+14 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400038795_1527906117964536_395154621710778400_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sbVbhDeuGPgAX-Xk-Fy&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB-P3jht8y84G-xnTcl9yErLWBvNIPjCCwg3gPr1-qpHg&oe=6588DEF8 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Fashion Store | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400030257_883886283303096_5584607642922802511_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wjXo9yIBOCYAX9y0qQg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8TMdXz8vzOpV_Gqb9BomJVfJkoVxr8WCCKAvvQUnTLw&oe=658796C8 | 0 | 3 | Joanna <br /> fashion store | Joanna Fashion Store | 83297 | https://facebook.com/100064833155643 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1699603200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55751 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 12:38 PM | 1703105772 | 1746553104 | 65 | 1268036933875898 | 8.7957657712288E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548093409 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410694814_377660358013131_8408050745550713834_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k8dvu0bYkncAX8y7xxK&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAAnM1QRyrvOwldX_kUN9beEsjw5bWqA4ezxlT7MlGcQ&oe=6588DFBD | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410600958_326453696865963_7700367429167334088_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FFqDQTeu5U0AX_Ar_Kr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDCQKSw73ItDl2HV2IbE7JBAieR7YjBx5-EBXTU7fuhuQ&oe=658875E7 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55758 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 6:29 AM | 1703105773 | 1751455744 | 65 | 273239142394536 | 1.3989916943323E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548091409 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409751426_1311163910285219_4588452698398977547_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VUTl7gGPrUYAX9u5XOQ&_nc_oc=AQncx2dRoksvQ_3z-O_SeiYX4nEjMlM51bH2Cw7ij11CohgSPLyqYodXlzXecZPPEV0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA8uC2qmBacTilImQv7rlFYjAS37XnyKpgkLrQxXviLDQ&oe=6587F030 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409848520_304001898625924_5983432819507188504_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jrqx-mfmKJkAX-0vvO9&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDwr1N35iwOvfE63NufuZgiuynml5yMqXwkqogcjj-2Q&oe=6587E731 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55380 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/21/25, 11:40 PM | 1703105769 | 1740202841 | 65 | 323239743964232 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951472390043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963076 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411079635_975606220419557_7407835480805041454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-vzBmDh9HBgAX8yE1n4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDx2azNRhl-ec6_7iyBwUuqARRgftlpqeUvJxSOiIdJbw&oe=65885548 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55704 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/8/25, 1:27 PM | 1703105772 | 1741462040 | 65 | 370963222141237 | 10 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202081808030160 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702543427 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409725127_422659510329156_1058455245414528834_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TN8kL4tWd3QAX_lnXyz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBc2gF5W_HifdW7VfpxCGop_kPE7yJ3-J1ngE33O3JQhQ&oe=6588114E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56912 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/22/24, 5:00 AM | 1703105785 | 1734865230 | 65 | 361818366304545 | 5 | 1.0021451142252E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779372070250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678800 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WzhiA5pG13sAX9p1VXL&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCSmb0Fl78fxGgGGRBXpAbF2WkzijSzti3lvlUCl9efEQ&oe=658766A6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56814 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/9/25, 4:27 AM | 1703105784 | 1749461259 | 65 | 869893484683276 | 1 | 7.277567687562E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200341096410122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/n2ubobd0mpzo0eypph03lps0?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700807921 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405772747_284557674016270_1000785715559099551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W7Rikl3SIG8AX9v3Tfk&_nc_oc=AQllf6jNn1ZBwa3PVAwY3L5roYPJEOtkRqhdVlLQux1-dlRFYJNB6UZ5ZjqH9wS_qJ4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1g3l-8o5bUK4gW2CldlIH3qTrgGkV47Opj3gVP7IpDA&oe=65879833 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405764607_1821346375002919_6058790301193981226_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jxsc4xY0kE4AX-qCnOY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAD-uD-Jv2D0uLRrhdXLAD0CamH-hk1ZxbeglbwEPa4pw&oe=65878F96 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56701 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970813 | 65 | 907808016870481 | 1 | 1.4920215646831E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674109440115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700970140 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406100681_1556304808503219_5965150235176108540_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=krAc00Lz7q8AX834I_c&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCbvXBMOKr3ag66bA4y9-MAXo2mhl53DTa7uXqpoUAuHA&oe=65879FC0 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405811948_1166691427624978_3154720536494126176_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eV2H-8GR6yYAX8hVfcg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAtJxiwHHjPgNv7oJol2nPTysGU1P-qK69jU1KibNc85A&oe=65878FB7 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55700 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/18/24, 1:49 PM | 1703105772 | 1731959352 | 65 | 1100986341062458 | 10 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202081943480160 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702544053 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410031796_740036481320150_4900238167009499496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2TY2KxN6QwEAX9FbD-5&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMuHMaynZIiAebQgMT-VQVX1UE-PYrVaK-FqXtnmc1vg&oe=6588D73B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56879 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/17/25, 6:03 PM | 1703105785 | 1744931004 | 65 | 197333893424995 | 1.0995041845666E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101404241952511 | 0 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 120200721427720167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679731 | 1.0140424195251E+14 | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403057964_1015805766315707_9148496957681327356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhEUB9FsQmIAX-CdlQN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0rocp_dOoIoOxftTU60GRT2M1ayab1etQAIGJBkUzZQ&oe=6587D467 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com - Lifestyle | 386 | https://facebook.com/100082447938895 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56148 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 12:00 PM | 1703105777 | 1723741221 | 65 | 1424165661474137 | 1 | 1.0767845366757E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155247600476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094434 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409589971_1052304956110374_3556196149653610877_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ds-xjTNWN58AX-GAZON&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB0tM2u6SJEM-UsRpetkKD_3zMF2FAsepR4TybDdR91qw&oe=65891FB1 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409659678_1412239489638781_2237131546198925729_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xpNeQZkn_VUAX_NP53F&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCm6fv3q0B_g3-FNjgtF9RUTbsl9Gc5YMIC5H_1q8tLJg&oe=65890C46 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56395 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/17/24, 8:50 PM | 1703105780 | 1729216251 | 65 | 1062143824975128 | 1.4272105615288E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101598762667562 | 0 | Blanco entertainment | 120201401775410549 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701636137 | 1.0159876266756E+14 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407986879_678342987761831_7814902037020637817_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RPwWRuP09MAAX-ZU37_&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC_-38C5K_sSFqxXNBqsKP8q0UNCHpDRPZAZFlG34BKzA&oe=6587E06F | person_profile | 0 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407656631_1313119199390766_1764109631910715412_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d1lpZ2BZGSgAX_ikrIw&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfA-AGDo4YUq2iAIZJXqFCHTj8tJIdbuZNSlyvHDDk11DA&oe=658898DE | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Blanco entertainment | 50 | https://facebook.com/100084702515578 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55253 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/21/25, 8:17 PM | 1703105768 | 1737490632 | 65 | 678144313907441 | 1 | 6.6029689497423E+15 | 1694761200 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859112775070562 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannagrabska.pl/ | 1694175663 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/375593058_1223289658365881_3451537451493435061_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_HrIkCy4Nb8AX_o4kh1&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA1Ktuui3OlcS_8tg-6FOOOQURIRtjhfWbuf0gSv0mvmQ&oe=6588784F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56743 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 1:19 PM | 1703105784 | 1747765197 | 65 | 1053185165924341 | 2 | 2.0955220407935E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632260110115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796881 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404300093_1384739212476587_8752495425808631167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_zOEhSThQ7wAX-5pt8n&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYxoH2COo4CHG0sqB1mZ-jQ9Pxkndpg6Mu1xET9BgleA&oe=65887446 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405663944_5431572583633801_1945011588064854730_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2DkIM-bXtysAX9k-gHc&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDN5QQum2-xifGbf4rRdXPgr2ABr09tWCzfKzDRENGO1g&oe=6588634B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55543 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/16/24, 4:59 AM | 1703105771 | 1731754765 | 65 | 688517223387299 | 3.6235990970517E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774759830385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633134 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409894314_1028448024938213_4298550755956503976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dAe6v26zrAYAX9_k2bU&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBEnTlcupKth8N9PxfGoW0qqQSr1fBmHlgKzYst_MCxcw&oe=6587B2B4 | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409748445_574800908145740_1896866908856461225_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UyNEGrSIAx4AX9JSzDe&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBuRmkhTi1C-Ri0pTn1oCfFJKLo0UOLC9SQJI0MMTxHIw&oe=6588C8FE | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56799 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 12:17 PM | 1703105784 | 1723051057 | 65 | 222316060894900 | 3 | 1.1463320796809E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632034020115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796612 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405780459_986553562409184_8012742240074465983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gLzzw8xE5hwAX_SqnFO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA4XFkk7C1fFRSH7pyYEJYltSd3TvcVM-kQJgqMQ0RLRg&oe=6587EFBF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403992648_359841486421033_496997130243287538_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pygnV693VX4AX-b1iVH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBrJFjKRjdt9dcx9PbaAuA8euOkls26H9aIekVPl-pkFg&oe=658912A6 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56656 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 1:05 PM | 1703105783 | 1723053917 | 65 | 1019043042512086 | 1 | 9.0807415401641E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281135780596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068294 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406215805_363934072661884_4247100073404812365_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AHPEu-0dKF8AX_nwcbE&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDNLureKf9Tv4zi5RjdBJBuNg_-VAbDQtJk4N0WcnmG_A&oe=65877F5F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406290222_1088861842555136_1616691322668293909_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dYvs08QlZcMAX9_QWq0&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAGcC181D86p5iD6fCY5wUrXNsbpD-LfLrpEp1dB4Snww&oe=65892AB8 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55944 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 4:50 AM | 1703105775 | 1743933052 | 65 | 1428691997741600 | 8 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207706738860456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390147 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409171218_302097435502409_7560321778000828157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-LNOX-lKfJIAX92e-66&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6jV29e5EY-rl5OKFkhyuol3YP8TMKb6kGPRlWfk6Q6A&oe=65881696 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410507263_7036820396355148_533357158504146893_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZWHS0TRjjQ0AX9qoKCX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAIWXnnrNx6fQeKQLmdCkHvF4K_pqa0KuCkc2Z1lP9UGw&oe=65875721 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55792 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 4:13 AM | 1703105773 | 1723713184 | 65 | 1399560120992053 | 1 | 7.6821794351297E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 165414600540210 | 0 | Along the Gravel Road | 6514580607444 | eventbrite.com | Buy tickets | NONE | event | Walton Fest | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walton-fest-waco-tx-tickets-776262200137?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walton-fest-waco-tx-tickets-776262200137?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete | 1702484452 | 1.6541460054021E+14 | Along the Gravel Road | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409591439_911329503889497_5479416572495903541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y3ioJ6JQgckAX8xKA-R&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCfE2UYJ9SKFs20RoPS4kNYUBKVfBzIuj6ShvcXfghwgw&oe=65882942 | person_profile | 0 | Along the Gravel Road | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409806548_1377381666202020_8123895881819225658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pXqEW_fRT1cAX_IUkHr&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfB8iqKDgN_Z72KOqsUqHp1IgcoNcoJ0OBflZE8c5LMbfw&oe=6587B9A7 | 0 | 3 | Way Down Texas Way is where you want to be March 9-10, 2024, for the WALTON FEST!!<br /> <br /> The cast from The Waltons are loading up the old truck and heading to Tucker Hall on March 9/10 to Waco, TX for a THREE-PART WALTONS FEST YOU WON'T FORGET!!<br /> 1. A Saturday & Sunday Meet and Greet<br /> 2. A very special Saturday Night "The Mountain Remembers" Dinner, honoring all the actors that have gone too soon <br /> 3. A Sunday Breakfast with the cast<br /> <br /> The Waltons original cast members scheduled to appear are: <br /> Eric Scott (Ben Walton)<br /> Leslie Winston (Cindy Walton)<br /> Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton)<br /> Mary McDonough (Erin Walton)<br /> Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton)<br /> David Harper (Jim Bob Walton). <br /> <br /> Saturday Night the Mountain Remembers Dinner will take place at 7:00 pm. The dinner will feature fried chicken, Texas BBQ and all the fixins! Ticket price is $150! Limited tickets will be sold!<br /> <br /> A special Breakfast with the Cast will take place Saturday at 9:00 am. Ticket price is $100 and only limited tickets will be sold!<br /> <br /> We will host a cast meet and greet on Saturday 10-5 & Sunday 12-4. Ticket Cost is just $10. The cast will be available for photos, autographs and other merchandise for purchase. Such a fantastic setting. Meet & Greet & again , tickets are limited! <br /> <br /> OR, enjoy the weekend like a celebrity yourself AND be our VIP GUEST!!<br /> The weekend VIP Experience Package is limited to just 50 people, and it includes the Meet & Greet on Saturday & Sunday, Dinner & Breakfast sitting directly at the table with cast members, the Sunday Morning family photo sessions & a souvenir swag bag. <br /> The Weekend VIP Experience Cost is $500.<br /> <br /> There will be a family photo session with the Walton Family in front of the Walton house backdrop at 11am on Sunday morning. The photon session will be with Ben, Cindy, Erin, Elizabeth, Jason & Jim Bob - AND of course YOU and your party. Cost is $90! It will be printed out and put in a souvenir sleeve. Spots will be limited!<br /> <br /> It all happens at Tucker Hall, 7767 North State Highway 6, in Waco, Tx! Not far from the World-Famous MAGNOLIA Silos - of Fixer Upper favorites, Chip & Joanna Gaines!<br /> <br /> For tickets: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fwalton-fest-waco-tx-tickets-776262200137%3Faff%3Debdshpsearchautocomplete&h=AT1Df9nrOesUfiNxntK_VgfXb4bYF2U4m24TNWmpLOfq9ArCXEPL7gOuegSKEQhktp8Uyc-zvz6P2_Vzcga_9mz-1wiSvVOj1j9gTcbiTfwwlwhkehaG2A-ISd2zZ8-vqjNHBe5C7dsn_FaFi-24Fau7psk" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walton-fest-waco-tx-tickets-776262200137?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete</a><br /> <br /> For information email: gravelroadmarket@gmail.com. | Along the Gravel Road | 1702 | https://facebook.com/gravelroadmarket | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55319 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 5:27 AM | 1703105768 | 1743935232 | 65 | 950564499818920 | 1 | 6.8333309393232E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475865050743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976994 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410014065_274519785242442_4422291416492732949_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R6PoHtGsT-AAX-0n8yh&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFs4qFx0drjjYA8DZX-gAS12FcQUv-FjwmVvsGiwh9_g&oe=65891360 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410009182_259765083519227_1446204740505399029_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TwiwJB-qnKgAX-wms0H&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD-sAcidgxKDcdrOjsu-tA8-A-MNnaBMQPcULQQIG09PA&oe=65891A55 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56282 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 1:39 AM | 1703105778 | 1723531162 | 65 | 835701768304345 | 2.7496543485083E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259824110 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Primavera Sound Porto | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899308 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407711281_383179104135886_8051482914939574926_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qk_nNJ09GGcAX-3aZSV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAXTRLMpnpQ-U8Ja4Ayth14BxD_2142YrKp7kyPK4rAsQ&oe=658775DE | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407705718_365202216033732_7061675438936509745_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=seFL2DZzCIMAX8EbmSb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhK3kDC1PCJ0rcEIrWwcUQpaJOCq75vk-aAMEiC05XfA&oe=65885EF1 | 0 | 3 | Primavera Sound Porto returns to Parque da Cidade from the 6th to 8th of June 2024. Around 50 artists confirmed to celebrate the 11th edition! | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56959 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 7:58 AM | 1703105786 | 1743944309 | 65 | 1034102551073953 | 5 | 6.8907228669931E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721075470167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678939 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDpANmVtKC4AX9KsKKI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDzeE7cYm6G4Y6oVBt4lu-eEGT0r0c7xg5YfaiXoMoopQ&oe=6587A16B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55706 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 6:07 AM | 1703105772 | 1723547229 | 65 | 1071055734030964 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202703378690367 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702540991 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410124869_769462171692876_4902806585524065447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CHWQZIhjsEsAX-lzp2g&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDT-OPgNNHQtVJlKb8pLXmuWhCIkYsVMGGRK6pu2ZgoXA&oe=6587C56F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56927 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/17/25, 9:44 PM | 1703105785 | 1744944264 | 65 | 717675853261240 | 5 | 3.5632109572798E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721409990167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679679 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478545_996064758122985_9149296117747152661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlilrlXHaPoAX8RTnaF&_nc_oc=AQnA86bZVL1AvVQXLbMT12DcLbPHMgFpIzIYgDennZzB3xu_rCyXz8cWApydoaRUm0dhJ4IFv9n7OSuaY5PMlz1i&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCZSUO4GxO2Lmjo0xd25EW4vNh1Qcr3HUUvv7ssbptCow&oe=658811A3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55677 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 12:04 PM | 1703105772 | 1723741473 | 65 | 277085091614486 | 1.1871366922457E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102611578357778 | 0 | Royel Otis | 6502152379889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702587245 | 1.0261157835778E+14 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410184920_1387690635195490_7714423594638928883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i7ljZp1iTMwAX89EVTY&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA8TNWU2rcypGxJoeHWMWJVyTCVZnsgpXb9Rmoi0lY62g&oe=658827C1 | person_profile | 0 | Royel Otis | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410182133_999699867800204_416448145926200425_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XQbFkR-Ok50AX8IUlCj&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD4li55hhYcG5DnVVlme6lKJgHtuEiOg3ql-wqaOY3Vng&oe=65876B4F | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0xXX_BiGtoodhlP0-HEYOb-5mtadp4-MI-FJERCl7_qPEe4dbL1tINQOxSXot879_Xb238EQp-p-13jDtNIp4KIxZIzxMfViNcA2S55dBZi3ynAxN1Bj0frwaN90lR0AkyC4LGZkg2aB35t68BTw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Royel Otis | 1360 | https://facebook.com/Royelotisofficial | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56166 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/17/25, 12:27 AM | 1703105777 | 1737095244 | 65 | 312467715084309 | 1 | 1.1079024268772E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108258998739587 | 0 | I Did not know | 120204382438770288 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | You know how sometimes a cartoon perfectly captures a complicated feeling? That's exactly what these talented female comic artists do. We found them all on Instagram, and they immediately made us hit the Follow Button. Take the Illustrator of Curves, who celebrates the diversity of women's bodies, J... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1702053740 | 1.0825899873959E+14 | I Did not know | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407987961_311877121756936_348162455555950368_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z7bzQZJbudoAX9OxZaS&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC90s_jotN0bMSI-vOtf69Lf1OcDxzjiC1kX-1zJr8ZaA&oe=658842B5 | person_profile | 0 | I Did not know | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408027455_2404424563088774_8997193801990067645_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k5A3KkBWy4AAX8WliSV&_nc_oc=AQlIg76RgLpGftW9uPNy0uLWD3AJBxN7utug0TinPpdImQmfCHajLC29JgUbAUbUy4WqyYAECxP_EKg8M7iTYdQb&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAc2U0O8canUCBtuMnF4ps8UdpZ_9HenvFJWIAgJdDnEg&oe=65891E98 | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | I Did not know | 7318 | https://facebook.com/100087007873665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56714 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/19/25, 7:09 AM | 1703105783 | 1737292197 | 65 | 1085031059320495 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104524871533020 | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | 120201464540200382 | fb.me | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://fb.me/ | 1700948278 | 1.0452487153302E+14 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405572099_724012895879829_3967266987413608491_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oMvq4pQ_Qv0AX-YcbTo&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9YjxdQrJS1tmgJOJT-VKv13DHahgYOOYdxDWPq1CEPQ&oe=6587AEF8 | person_profile | 0 | Motivo Scar Care | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405677894_356423196938784_1791099633577129083_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lUWspvEIyogAX_EiLJe&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZv_OfAsrzXu7qQhPv40tloq8lGpEIpaEGJ7_tWJnWFw&oe=6587E5F9 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Motivo Scar Care | 203 | https://facebook.com/MotivoScarCare | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56241 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 5:46 AM | 1703105778 | 1746614800 | 65 | 810752477488592 | 1 | 7.3796488169906E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111818025279545 | 0 | Wehear Good | 120202279620710709 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | video | More free chapters | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joyreading.wehear | 1701940135 | 1.1181802527954E+14 | Wehear Good | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408730928_885131606349284_6845274844157765637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PJBSdQ5X1b0AX9F6TwS&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfABoQHTOdFdcUxJ2IiY4BHK3-PRq0BSaCHzw_v3hONXHQ&oe=65885DE2 | person_profile | 0 | Wehear Good | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408681728_885868059993495_5085254319525793165_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wQLC2wlbwm4AX9ChIUV&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCPRf02EheGIodt06sYw1MZ0c4xIBXIQh5jY0R3SUyHgA&oe=6587FBDF | 0 | 3 | Ronda smiled maliciously at me. She was the most immature adult I had ever met including the triplets and that was saying something. The triplets had me backed against the kitchen island.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry,” I said, “I had to do some extra math for Mr Johnson.”<br /> <br /> It was not a complete lie. The triplets knew Mr Johnson because they were his football stars back when they went to High school. They also knew I had won Math competitions before. They had really enjoyed making fun of me then.<br /> <br /> “Ok,” said Felix simply. He took a step towards me. “What’s all of this?” He gestured to my outfit, makeup and hair.<br /> <br /> “My eighteenth birthday is tomorrow too. I’m just trying out how I wanna look,” I said, looking down, waiting for them to insult me or call me fat.<br /> <br /> “Do you have a boyfriend, is that it?” Asked Alex, anger rising in his voice.<br /> <br /> Why did he even care?<br /> <br /> “I’m too fat to get a boyfriend, remember?” I said, repeating one of their classic insults.<br /> <br /> “Don’t play games with us,” said Felix softly. “Is all of this for your mate? Have you figured out who he is?”<br /> <br /> “No!” I said. They were acting so strange like I had done something underhanded.<br /> <br /> “You’ll only know for sure tomorrow. Your inner wolf will tell you who your mate is,” said Calix.<br /> <br /> “I don’t want a mate,” I said honestly. I had never had a guy be nice to me and I could not picture it happening.<br /> <br /> “Why the hell not?” Alex asked like I was crazy for saying that. The Triplets were eager to find their real mate. They talked about it every birthday. They would visit other packs hoping to get a whiff of their mate. They thought maybe their mate was younger than them. That would explain why they could not pick up her scent. Only mates who had come of age could be discovered. | Wehear Good | 1 | https://facebook.com/100094062726569 | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56536 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 7:13 PM | 1703105781 | 1747786387 | 65 | 1715122892324674 | 1 | 7.6493376864557E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12013348247 | 0 | Country Living Magazine | 120201651585920684 | countryliving.com | No button | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Inspired Prime Day Deals for 2023 Have Arrived | https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g44448810/joanna-gaines-amazon-prime-day-2023/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=arb_fb_clv_m_ios_pv_comm_k1_g44448810 | 1701211537 | 12013348247 | Country Living Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406284111_872856284244725_1756599250519595266_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=npB7OxYe9NYAX-ZZ5WH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhIHdG10h3GoqJudBEE_Zf2XczIP3QDyhLT_hV9v9Ygg&oe=6588BD9B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | If you dream over Jo's modern farmhouse style, it's time to make it a reality with today's Prime Day Deals. | Country Living Magazine | 5146467 | https://facebook.com/CountryLiving | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55988 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 9:54 AM | 1703105775 | 1723301676 | 65 | 878654043884160 | 1 | 8.5782750603726E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205057956230427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702371205 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409651552_343304404982125_836136154089493767_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t5RYoxLO6-EAX-XHqg_&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfClO9hDLf1akL9xTe5dR2tHOEdTqKRorgSTKXU07lZZeQ&oe=65893ABC | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409646228_1061944621783000_4117247807825124469_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jt6rlOI5btAAX_PixYO&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCqMj6UuE0BfxXULGo6cJrH8HjjDFiOOiNSn3Rl7qMlNw&oe=65874B29 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56611 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 6:36 AM | 1703105782 | 1746617795 | 65 | 1085829789416807 | 1 | 3.6243610211827E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 125430160896389 | 0 | Severn House | 120200784067630756 | severnhouse.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Severn House | http://www.severnhouse.com/ | 1701103160 | 1.2543016089639E+14 | Severn House | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406006758_1582988629114808_3290563223702433722_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4UpHHvrhDPwAX-5DOnj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBErjUVpLxxftYnCouIFf_95HB3TwAlqgN5PJdqN5M9vA&oe=6587E76D | person_profile | 0 | Severn House | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406029894_309904358541160_76466336583534072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qBdjud1g3LoAX8qin3X&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAqYoGI6wt6v0KvqNbFIJ1veIE38fuwPTAOTA1cpjd8-Q&oe=65888993 | 0 | 3 | “Louise Penny meets Ruth Ware” –Charlie Donlea<br /> <br /> “A bone-chilling mystery that crackles with suspense“ –Joanna Schaffhausen<br /> <br /> “[Wegert has] rightly earned the badge as one of the finest talents of the past three years” – THE STRAND Magazine | Severn House | 979 | https://facebook.com/severnhouse | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55540 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/27/25, 6:19 PM | 1703105771 | 1745795988 | 65 | 1091853091812951 | 1 | 1.4837072090745E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 268409153295131 | 0 | AARP AAPI Community | 6524869085508 | NONE | video | 1702660919 | 2.6840915329513E+14 | AARP AAPI Community | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410140781_1741819886325272_1626993608190258734_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bjVZFVBsBi4AX-nEZKT&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDFKRXY4p5qQlHUvSl_6VQASQJkjiipEY4qU7QJg5xnww&oe=65878837 | person_profile | 0 | AARP AAPI Community | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410156961_845981990867280_3312747149323377124_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lHJ-jdQdwlsAX9CNJ_I&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDKSjhPIQNHlmyL8R21nPUN1M0YxBE70WtcgfhQ1NPasw&oe=6588DE46 | 0 | 3 | Join Je’Wana and her daughters as they dish out their 10-cheese mac and cheese secret, a family treasure. 🧀 | AARP AAPI Community | 34704 | https://facebook.com/AARPAAPI | 0 | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55613 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 12:07 PM | 1703105771 | 1724260064 | 65 | 322475223922576 | 1 | 2.2769629036339E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045560190514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611120 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411234296_292649923231937_7702149286702626019_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=97KCEDmrVo0AX-qO6Ls&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCLoeOA2HdkiYl4uJmjZaH6AS4N_ECZKQzlEEQovoUVgA&oe=65881937 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411299998_629359305874725_8970988579574679708_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CedwOsF2XsgAX-Er48e&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCtPmxagyyFpWdZD_cBlT9gG7w6K7bdfdZ3sXrXtrXR9Q&oe=6587A3BE | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56646 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 12:09 PM | 1703105782 | 1724260172 | 65 | 741622141141477 | 1 | 7.1680816697142E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281101090596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068202 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406451313_1021142948998628_3747914709663991758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3y3ZxsvNXzgAX-WKSeN&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfALTsg9hodFIhyM1FZCeD5yvZxXokIRVOmf2hg4kHWL-Q&oe=65880FDD | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405664010_724178809605953_4778507167529204492_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1Q_0ALC_ySwAX8cDxUX&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSMMfNCXeDWFkZHqDwTDDBwrbhWqzO9rzT4lydonk3ew&oe=6587BDC0 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55983 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 12:22 PM | 1703105775 | 1724260922 | 65 | 183545304781024 | 1 | 1.0639221315779E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143406120670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374759 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410314280_834281521715680_3894094238271745937_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_4b_tLDJ1bQAX93Bysd&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDQcXwq76mwUoq93kRIiBgrEaampe7CZRkeaGHUK2DhzA&oe=6587E5E0 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410763665_855644583014617_6844749219760079787_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8KST18gPR2AAX-tztD9&_nc_oc=AQkLQ7Wt9iwzp8Z_s_vsoLUCPuuGpFwYypYnw6_8wUfm610zp-I0ugJQeeIzLwYIiws&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBsjtIjskPgRbVOwzEVF9_vPLKaPGnzJrmlWR6R56WqNg&oe=65879E46 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56198 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 8:47 AM | 1703105777 | 1723297632 | 65 | 1127875008667684 | 1 | 1.0883881391891E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201339296540540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702023822 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408016864_356946796966395_1360653153040989519_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gnmyRQJrbeMAX8Pa6wE&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAW0SRhTVJDjnAnGRCaUGoAumEPRrxqGzDnHLysEiI7Mg&oe=6587F85D | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407717743_339859801992162_3618965054177352571_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ju4uI0cWhwoAX9CkGeA&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfChx98v8YvD6VHM9bY119TuadvHIY6BoP-lkn_jQWCGnA&oe=6588D55D | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56336 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 8:15 PM | 1703105779 | 1723061730 | 65 | 7219233024804355 | 1 | 1.0756220267728E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 329658663759031 | 0 | Galerie Barbara von Stechow | 120201354192890746 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/galeriebvonstechow | 1701808886 | 3.2965866375903E+14 | Galerie Barbara von Stechow | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407712121_394400122920472_3281892789139054948_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IGYZyGNWtZEAX813_Vl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfChIo7as_YfbrVdxpqvOE90oixnhNXuyZVRDI2bUpATVQ&oe=6587A3DB | person_profile | 0 | Galerie Barbara von Stechow | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407662124_936745181359339_710105645680272195_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sVVJrpXgfScAX_Lfq1c&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCYCZzawhfO6JKvrvxrlR4sG4su9Lb_ZDNe4bENKS5gwQ&oe=6588D9C1 | 0 | 3 | 💥We're thrilled to kick off ART MIAMI today with the VIP Preview. Join us from December 5th to 10th at booth AM327 for an exclusive showcase of contemporary art.<br /> <br /> Discover the latest masterpieces by Alireza Varzandeh, Tom Christopher, Leszek Skurski, Andrea Damp, and Joanna Skurska. ART MIAMI, a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts and collectors, is the perfect backdrop for these incredible talents.<br /> <br /> Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in the world of art. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our passion for contemporary creativity! 🖼️ 💫#ArtMiami #GalerieBarbaraVonStechow #artgallery #kunstgalerie #kunstmesse #artmiami2023 #artnews #paintings #germangallery #ContemporaryArt @artmiamifairs <br /> <br /> 🇩🇪Heute starten wir mit der VIP-Vorschau in die ART MIAMI. Besuchen Sie uns vom 5. bis 10. Dezember am Stand AM327 und erleben Sie exklusive zeitgenössische Kunst.<br /> <br /> Entdecken Sie neueste Meisterwerke von Alireza Varzandeh, Tom Christopher, Leszek Skurski, Andrea Damp und Joanna Skurska. ART MIAMI, ein lebendiger Treffpunkt für Kunstliebhaber und Sammler, bietet die perfekte Kulisse für diese unglaublichen Talente.<br /> <br /> Verpassen Sie nicht diese Gelegenheit, in die Welt der Kunst einzutauchen. Wir freuen uns darauf, Sie willkommen zu heißen und unsere Leidenschaft für zeitgenössische Kreativität zu teilen! 🖼️ 💫 | Galerie Barbara von Stechow | 1261 | https://facebook.com/GalerieBarbaraVonStechow | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55694 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 9:37 AM | 1703105772 | 1743950274 | 65 | 373943765011517 | 2 | 3.4606443483918E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 235613043245259 | 0 | Alla's Yummy Food | 120204162417280768 | allasyummyfood.com | Sign up | NONE | carousel | Alla's Yummy Food | https://www.allasyummyfood.com/online-cake-club | 1702565651 | 2.3561304324526E+14 | Alla's Yummy Food | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409719878_1423636354856338_7629824418788324253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sOCD2q2zDtUAX_vWCk8&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCIPVd5H7DIG59OoW9NEtuTDlA_ZfsRD-2iffmtOkEIRw&oe=65880F3F | person_profile | 0 | Alla Driksne | Online Cake Academy | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409794406_678677734377079_4165591605772386256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RL-VtDMXOwQAX9YZydr&_nc_oc=AQkTLt5T1fqzI-maGC3eL_CpRYQBfz2OJdLudVmrFhom8VdEXzEZS2gnGs8_JNYK4vQ&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCIOzkzYcmfl8LSZsbdNBi2a9K7bkO2WTDN5F7yjcVrKg&oe=65885C38 | 0 | 3 | Are you looking for a way to elevate your baking skills and your business? Perfect! It’s time for you to join 100+ beginner, home, and professional bakers in my Cake Club! <br /> <br /> When you sign up, you’ll gain access to:<br /> <br /> ☑️ Exclusive recipes for beautiful, high-end cakes<br /> ☑️ How to master taking amazing photos from your smartphone<br /> ☑️ Business strategies to help you baking business grow<br /> ☑️ Access to my must-have Mastermind Sessions<br /> <br /> …and SO much more!<br /> <br /> If you have access to a kitchen and a love for baking, Cake Club is for you. Let’s bake, learn, and grow together. 🎂 Flexible payment options are available!<br /> <br /> Join Now and Transform Your Baking Journey!👇<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allasyummyfood.com%2Fonline-cake-club&h=AT2DKoer0RaLXm8ljb2BwW9YD1nJ19ahJUJM0ItHCGIUnok1VMx4gDLAz2brPadQ1uJA4bshdKGvIHWa2o4d9PMYIxscsVXrBut-Tc1B9sMgeqEy3E_65bpMBnUXesOveXKmjy4zFgyCT9bq4rUymA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.allasyummyfood.com/online-cake-club</a> | Alla's Yummy Food | 274121 | https://facebook.com/allasyummyfood | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56318 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/23/25, 4:21 AM | 1703105779 | 1747992102 | 65 | 882313226725205 | 1 | 1.4135762195082E+15 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120200847159180328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 2 Beds 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/2379832768891890/ | 1701855279 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407971665_938109274378335_290629314251122965_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7pZN37_mGTAAX-p3hDF&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBfCoVCca8sgF_PyeacDVubb2OqSBd_8OBz-2ZgvKo_Xg&oe=6587A1B4 | 0 | 3 | 2 Beds 1 Bath - Apartment - $845.00<br /> <br /> 🏡 For Rent: Recently Remodeled 2 Bed, 1 Bath Apartment 🛁<br /> <br /> Discover comfort in this renovated gem! Enjoy the convenience of nearby restaurants and shopping. Step into a spacious living area with a private patio featuring a sliding glass door. This apartment boasts modern amenities including a dishwasher, walk-in closets, and is cable/wifi ready. Embrace outdoor activities with a basketball court and a charming picnic area equipped with a grill. Appliances included. Don’t miss out—call now to schedule a viewing! 🌟<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55413 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 2:55 PM | 1703105769 | 1743278104 | 65 | 1020091429094837 | 3 | 9.0389222134585E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201980472490452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run Your Marathon In 16 Weeks... Or I'll Give You A $100 | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702862823 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411234563_378179194573366_8389408697720457988_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nqX-4wQs2x8AX8Zrspv&_nc_oc=AQk_VOdbHKuTF6fp4pXZN_rv5d3WGKSXamxfYaRDffVGdAN9b7WM6bhQYSDB9Qbp4F0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfACkGztfws6HrjPw0FOoRGEBkSsFFvCCLR3ElUPttHG-A&oe=6587FD01 | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412282304_1075603620246920_51109711020779814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qp81WH4Qn4cAX9_Eyzi&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCbgUkCvQBrh7LS9b8DPfzamPFJasGg1tGIkxFCIwzrnQ&oe=65885E2A | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT3_hnu2VC34Ss3hImNkS0kiBORIEG4kY_Z-zMutitBnOc8QqiEKxYFqlhyBmP6kdrVn9s01NIzRK3TxK2dlAcn75GwZpqp1UO6gXHcARlYOYrDsMa4iz38iyfQiy8q_uHXlXC5XUhKstvOjoPTRGN3eWqY" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55864 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/26/24, 8:31 AM | 1703105774 | 1732631469 | 65 | 883217719779446 | 1 | 7.0802570809633E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434459630465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447473 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409729035_896254002113158_7824038317682323641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qkn3SdS4RdwAX_EJ6V6&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1cd3_zUWcgPcAm1lr6Piild5hAJ-k4nLmYZ2tI_uPZg&oe=6587F6E4 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409688224_236788712765818_4047744257784732453_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_DoiVLIXUAgAX8wmMXB&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAF5fuaTNPYNMOQ8D_jL4kkVJweLiMuzeAU5Dr2ydt2Sg&oe=658773EB | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56246 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 12:34 PM | 1703105778 | 1743960870 | 65 | 312626298314276 | 1 | 1.0213055091393E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 988423477976346 | 0 | Amelia Smith | 120201701310960606 | glamgirlscosmetics.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Christmas Giveaway! | Chip & Joanna's 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 Christmas Giveaway! | https://glamgirlscosmetics.com/cooking/?kw=cv02 | 1701953509 | 9.8842347797635E+14 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408640073_184897134700631_6207807219277068552_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DzEnC8LTDu0AX_vXdr2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAKq9kzD1F-MNiyw8ewNgkoDwNro6K1TO0_CQ89nY2ItQ&oe=65881921 | person_profile | 0 | Amelia Smith | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409214875_1011245576629477_7868963856899887655_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ka7dkgFpdB0AX-Wtf1Y&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD29F1XZ7iuruF_ds2tWFxhRgtFssi94Fxc7Tc7fNW6kA&oe=65878AE3 | 0 | 3 | They're back again with another crazy giveaway from 𝗟é 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘁 - This time they're giving away FREE cookware sets! | Amelia Smith | 1257 | https://facebook.com/ameliasmithmakeup | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56338 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105779 | 1722970814 | 65 | 2869228046547659 | 3 | 1.0508745226186E+15 | 1702022400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 109080568825640 | 0 | Family Store A1 | 120201429985640521 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D6 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1701347457 | 1.0908056882564E+14 | Family Store A1 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406592544_665000459080877_7451001322317262672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YMBn4Q32LUkAX-u-C9d&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBKcxfKW-m6p8xxxjlkxVEds01gMtfKccy0aMDPRZpY6g&oe=6587D1B3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT2dWPD2QFM1z9667Ewxm-5-9B9AxB2gooXVB3GyfyJ02sJ9e3ozky8M5z9HOk6Al66x7-6LqDvNBfjDB0xeRyTPvkZVUGF0xwkVcukRk08-HNge2DJlEO5ww0DxvHleV8Fhd26NAUzLGZsPaBg10v347R32l6qlONxckg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Store A1 | 34 | https://facebook.com/100091830608558 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56206 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 12:19 PM | 1703105778 | 1723742372 | 65 | 866597975017368 | 1 | 6.8981261836161E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074191350476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016333 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408974493_1359392224704551_5772416986139380024_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HdTJ5tYvtf8AX_yisHA&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfAd5rX3J6Htebzf1jCmHJKwIfQApEp2dF4zKrQOa0Msiw&oe=65892A63 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409099773_3678405192406658_1054844165338979178_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Db_KHYLbtBEAX9pVkbc&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCif7_RSt1dnnj5Oyr1ZnBPtOOiEcPLxXPeN8m1n3xe9g&oe=6588F3BA | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55314 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 9:43 AM | 1703105768 | 1723560206 | 65 | 664959739172338 | 1 | 8.7596359099169E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476712620743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977368 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411252863_320208087494375_5373551423766190724_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IKExVTQSpMsAX80YBtL&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLQuVo4Ks90IBD_FZW9bwuYtcaKoN9UAfJ02GDZgU96Q&oe=6587B516 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412332682_375312318490808_667316444567617591_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SXk2x5hHLtkAX_dfYT_&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC6nFv8hgZVsdgQ4DBa52y9Cx_lQdqUde96C2MSdmcVWw&oe=65884FFD | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56972 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 10:41 AM | 1703105786 | 1723563717 | 65 | 1366692557312165 | 5 | 7.2234098268851E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109657078608486 | 0 | Learn Something | 120200721153830167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679055 | 1.0965707860849E+14 | Learn Something | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405499495_6696053400449536_785684262627965749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NOCFM-m1mYAX_PKpSJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBA0Gs5GKUOE0VHfv5nZDnLhLyXSJwF40WY9zM7jR6DeQ&oe=65887AB5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Learn Something | 5352 | https://facebook.com/100086954096959 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56213 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970814 | 65 | 2517005311813849 | 6 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074055800476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015902 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408040881_872253514451459_44431598158128653_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BuFO0QBu55wAX9LNUkB&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPzTXUkKZ897nJjAhMTDvub60PoPmHMw0WsMkHMnKCFg&oe=6588EB20 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408027860_840301831173799_6104578534699348159_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NJnysAkH_DgAX8eFvrS&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCYHsnGolMrzK0W3YHpb59oHtEptdDwkm5QZVZEFWV25w&oe=65887516 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55775 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 11:13 AM | 1703105773 | 1723565610 | 65 | 1070308977457427 | 4 | 5.891996700146E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548023609 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494395 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410776859_278743451419808_943957753840850983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=raK8tpUd9_gAX8AxEjm&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDT8_SataUBMmfaAEzzariy5o1xEdZJE454tAYLgB5MYA&oe=6588CF41 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410784908_1103829064314564_7068715022472681283_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nonk1vZ4VyQAX_D1S2q&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCpvif21L4po3Rjq3MRARJm3IMUVMKBWxpFX70AM5wXYQ&oe=65893153 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55379 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 11:15 AM | 1703105769 | 1723565716 | 65 | 1778032565958802 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-uowiz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3PwS8P5g67KttMFwNP07eOMpPk51aX9lyEkUzsvZgMQ&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56943 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/20/25, 8:19 PM | 1703105786 | 1747790364 | 65 | 865540855214244 | 5 | 1.0021451142252E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779372070250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678800 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WzhiA5pG13sAX-IqDZ8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCz_IY7xkDqtTcxCvl3Z0HhgDUX2naBmLy1mnMbqcY9nA&oe=658766A6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56423 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 9:15 AM | 1703105780 | 1723558543 | 65 | 1503896406841797 | 1 | 3.8970714671600E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200878938650773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701423877 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406866543_361430019702765_8143006237618631227_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fQcuYAgpVt4AX_GIONT&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDoBADvdC27W1kTa8xtrkbmxAmxqdBeipr8alsY-2ieg&oe=6588D960 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406343881_377322774732391_8200212802209574697_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1l-MPnb7ZWwAX_9RWMx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC0VwfQN-FKlO6mUGZdK7dlcwBV0mo_7gRoHAAYGUYxQg&oe=65880F28 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55512 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 5:39 PM | 1703105770 | 1743287991 | 65 | 397450069302857 | 1 | 1.0308712147965E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765648650465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702236 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410424256_295802736788160_2040507829472496085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bvjZqUEWiOUAX9BFZv3&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAvLJOqYCiaH-7q4UfEFnRT1d3yyJWjWRjUR4r9r38gYQ&oe=6587FB8D | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411307938_893427532152033_5863337762254486961_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_Q9xIwVBLZUAX9no8Zq&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClmc1xD6GvMjOqcWM2FhsOheNyLHpyNV1v2C6c_5_GPg&oe=65878564 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56623 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 8:07 AM | 1703105782 | 1746623255 | 65 | 1153098349000529 | 1.297378697477E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495714867956 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 40-50% OFF | Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates | Start your New Year off with Wisdom. | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700485661 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKayuX-3JXIAX90ZiN_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfASjThw0a7Us07cw7UrEvCde-JpIiIvZ2XVMq90xDGY6w&oe=6587F304 | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iIzwmS9EthQAX_y88nu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA8fZZEqIRrH9JmMp1W-tGXirIAVAa6aLSqofRl5Ik7sA&oe=6587627A | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55286 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970814 | 65 | 891898395591022 | 1.5236034117624E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43095243080 | 0 | Higher Ground | 6585507646480 | solidsound.frontgatetickets.com | Buy tickets | NONE | image | 🎫 Solid Sound Festival, June 28 - 30 | Tickets on sale now! | https://solidsound.frontgatetickets.com/?aff=ebpredboostfbandigads&td_campaign_id=611035 | 1703014847 | 43095243080 | Higher Ground | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412714587_205779662587649_642965519958678629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZ5Eh1riTzQAX_7d5_Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD0xHFhidxRAQCFugejmKZHv77byLBYJTT7_j4fQKAvgw&oe=65882F6B | person_profile | 0 | Higher Ground • VT Music Venue | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411236609_1046256759823512_1769635639596446298_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1wUFmXpBmYwAX-FZJTx&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBclto2jWOf0t0cqqZXW5eCYAXPxFOijtz9v_Sk5hQIcw&oe=6587FF7A | 0 | 3 | We're thrilled to announce that your 2024 Solid Sound Festival Lineup is here! ✨<br /> <br /> Tickets are on sale now for June 28 - 30, 2024 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. <br /> <br /> 🎫<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsolidsoundfestival.com%2F&h=AT3af-kMn0BQGM7PGErVWmZZQQTNK7vxsas8pcRCH7Xhpf1CHa2AXF7zO_zDsHh6W5OvC58It_g4CXAFn55tUmCEpyZmvAVn0CAlYT1CERce0HrqBJT50Yo9u56ZOw7f_nJlQgxpvm2ifMMyM4LAcKIS_Gg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">solidsoundfestival.com</a> <br /> <br /> See you in June! | Higher Ground | 82340 | https://facebook.com/highergroundmusic | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55858 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/29/24, 1:59 AM | 1703105774 | 1724914784 | 65 | 694983926037031 | 1 | 2.49962037891E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434457830465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447466 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409622463_249052294664275_7126498820399906271_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HVLmG2Sa0-EAX8BEeNP&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2zRSefENU0B8WUshW1jJ3F9-J-WTdGJchh2gGuSbqhA&oe=658825BF | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409715738_366869282369129_9007657581699472719_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OebkgXwBEWMAX-EUOjX&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBTuhVqy07FlRUSkavQxGLQjNfU2bsCUMjLQm1me93ZYg&oe=6587BC2A | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55483 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970814 | 65 | 1303037523732717 | 1 | 1.0245628723059E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2351097945126017 | 0 | Fresh Prana Yoga Studio | 6531052466517 | wellnessliving.com | Sign up | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/fresh_prana_yoga?id_class_tab=1&k_class=614655 | 1702821928 | 2.351097945126E+15 | Fresh Prana Yoga Studio | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411512259_670027808549561_6100201535737854680_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gweoS84OQMsAX8tppYN&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAbNUvLcUaGg6qHysccdwhORfu9-VNOpg-zO1h3UMeEQw&oe=6588E7A8 | person_profile | 0 | Fresh Prana | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412121860_6790571414405281_2271049772204603881_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xnHf0DQeXSgAX9-XmJ4&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA7FpeyZPqxpm4XO1W_kX-t7g6kYrNr6zCi1G3iglYawg&oe=65876713 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Fresh Prana Yoga Studio | 77 | https://facebook.com/freshprana | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56732 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970815 | 65 | 378745844677020 | 1 | 1.3379662835135E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632071610115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796884 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404822891_874511964047134_3511002552780397303_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u4f-N3izlaQAX_MqEKt&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAS-ePHv_cmT03hzuzdtnZEMoZwAYbVPPGFqkhxauwRdQ&oe=65887FA7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404302524_670977118509758_49561693264532945_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xI-ani-2Bu4AX_-EWxq&_nc_oc=AQk2zsufSzGR3CWWL6k2xxZRgX1ukej4NTl3q216PTCr2BQ57bEyD8qJhqUlBSXPpifjpaHfUt0A60ipE9MsC5b8&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCr4rDr3tIls1QXZ_Y-6fo_3SD98cImX5Kc-h7oSylWCA&oe=6587AA25 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56584 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 10:06 AM | 1703105782 | 1743001594 | 65 | 718693140318228 | 1 | 8.7070068127668E+14 | 1701590400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108097191318978 | 0 | mercimanagement | 120200391473750765 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | https://www.instagram.com/_u/mercimanagement | 1701147438 | 1.0809719131898E+14 | mercimanagement | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/224343519_1390377897998731_58780715812490653_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=SvY-xAi3iLIAX-2qN3t&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDBF7xdN1tqTckDXIPflE0SS1V1iHx0c_dP_CEngj4Jkg&oe=6588CC3D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | merci management | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404751045_875853307313162_5744721027400541762_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1B5c_POZJSkAX_lw369&_nc_oc=AQkWBCocyKvVzwFYqQf4WIN5mD7COje8Y3hFtljvmoRxEcUGtE0Cm60odEJwDl7Q2wE&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB0I9ofzvmUAqLB6PV6tydYI6_nK47rK476-nT0gMYOGQ&oe=65887D48 | 0 | 3 | JOANNA HALPIN IN TOWN: DECEMBER ❤️🔥<br /> @joannahalpin <br /> <br /> #mercimanagement | mercimanagement | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/mercimanagement | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56466 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/16/25, 6:24 AM | 1703105780 | 1750073062 | 65 | 333484846086016 | 1 | 3.2317203363208E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 711420849053256 | 0 | Mamut Dentistry | 23861766084370188 | implants.mamutdentistry.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Mamut Dentistry | https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey | 1696896130 | 7.1142084905326E+14 | Mamut Dentistry | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387735098_989633829144444_733517180995442611_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6f3Xz07sB54AX_vheNz&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD7_eRAZp1kHXGI0FACmAzh_YkTjO5cIYB7nsXg6aMbDQ&oe=658775A1 | person_profile | 0 | ᴍᴀᴍᴜᴛ ᴅᴇɴᴛɪsᴛʀʏ | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387747528_863670772104603_8615363955449349338_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wCqhL4PVY4YAX8KuNhz&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkoYAqaXzlAhQ_XE0NprZw8x_ASNhjcAfDJEr2z_f67g&oe=65877EFB | 0 | 3 | 🙏Queens Neighbors, this is exciting for those persons struggling with dentures or no teeth! We can now offer the “Teeth In A Day” service.<br /> <br /> I know this sounds a bit crazy, but we can restore an entire upper or lower area with the “Teeth In A Day” procedure.💪<br /> <br /> This is NOT dentures…<br /> <br /> We place 4-6 implants and then attach a STRIP of teeth to them. It’s amazing because in this case, you don't have to battle with loose, painful dentures that never stay in. You'll be able to eat the foods you want without the pain or fear of a denture coming out.<br /> <br /> Please keep this in mind if you are on the fence about getting dental implants. Every person who requires implants has a limited time frame. The longer someone waits, the less likely it is that they will have the bone required for the procedure to be successful.<br /> <br /> I'm Dr. Jovanka from Mamut Dentistry, and this month I'm doing something really cool to help our community and get the word out about our implant services in our Queens, NY area.<br /> <br /> 👉 If you want to see if we are a good fit and claim a Complimentary Dental Implant Consult with us, please click on the link below: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimplants.mamutdentistry.com%2Fsurvey&h=AT1hFI-nLSfU6M8zPFwOK6aNCSGHSnlwlItoIJYW9FPn2RFGkFgr2FmLswffJ2xjd9vUFI_DpzODeGwG-yCWsvHk2QCeRI0YwbVFUdi8eE6KFVgWMCFON2oQWOJINZV8nGJ2Ktw6XrFmxA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey</a><br /> <br /> Best of all, this treatment PRESERVES the jaw bone. (Unlike regular dentures.)<br /> ☑️ No more closed-lip smiles<br /> ☑️ No more hand over the mouth when laughing<br /> ☑️ Finally, eat the foods you used to enjoy<br /> ☑️ Have new teeth TODAY!<br /> <br /> Here's what one of our patients, Tijana, has to say: "Dr Jovanka Zivkovic is an amazing dentist. One of the best dentist I have ever been to! She is very professional, she is caring dentist and I always feel safe with her. No pain during the treatment at all. She explained what I needed and what I could put on hold for now. She is perfect, professional and beautiful! I have recommended this place to my friends and anyone who needs a great dentist!"<br /> <br /> 🤝 Also, we work with you to help you get started… we can do this because we’re not a big corporation focused on prices, instead, we are a private practice focused on our patients and getting them the care they need.<br /> <br /> Claim your Complimentary spot by filling our survey! | Mamut Dentistry | 613 | https://facebook.com/mamutdentistry | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55663 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/22/25, 2:17 AM | 1703105772 | 1737533828 | 65 | 1724906451322439 | 1 | 1.547088349436E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112243818028359 | 0 | Niko Stories | 120202962031790340 | parentztalk.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers: The Hidden Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://parentztalk.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-ua/ | 1702585357 | 1.1224381802836E+14 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410658915_1633260697199731_6647248825116474503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PStTgAMfygMAX8AeFPc&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAsZwnw0UFRkEZu7_P90VmCfvd3a5_TaBmwn-WHoMnEEg&oe=6587C3BB | person_profile | 0 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410701296_1039730637267316_3540374465050347468_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LTmOPwr66BgAX9EL6_G&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpPRDnZmI6yrq3PdOZKRK8u9FnZl79uUBIFdZiqwNpIA&oe=6587D407 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Niko Stories | 21 | https://facebook.com/100079533857132 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56096 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970815 | 65 | 653427650050430 | 1 | 3.7965838118281E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259859950476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180974 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408850396_3760930270796940_3407124366562784103_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=79CHExhIjqYAX-BA2bt&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDUAzVksyfMlR88B1JcvSafDrD30TsKU2K9cI3d0wKUDg&oe=65880EBE | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408762918_556843186652384_8318192666594256357_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iuhcgQrdRNIAX9INx_g&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDR7dIvXvRDL4U4oy5i40P-xkNZCwhn355sHaFRYEjZdw&oe=658833E1 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55427 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 1:40 PM | 1703105769 | 1723574429 | 65 | 802582465003933 | 1 | 1.3091352964617E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112270775184000 | 0 | Though Facts | 120202923301770549 | foodisinthehouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence In Front of The World | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://foodisinthehouse.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-be/?utm_source=facebook-be&utm_campaign=be-us-a-fih-fixupen-rahul-c1-a3-v1&pixel_value=0.05 | 1702900891 | 1.12270775184E+14 | Though Facts | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409984438_2143044979365987_8604182980352862241_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1brx497bWE0AX-JwHFD&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASzqogm97JjeJIfKJRi14-CJqQh89xG5Tpm2T2HAgdaQ&oe=6587E36B | person_profile | 0 | Though Facts | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020522_692705799597929_7449872977535720940_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=urMEtOO5dqIAX82TZBY&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvtPhuvIVoc8X52sHru6jskLTAdAq3rj2he7Hgz4jJlg&oe=65886A60 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Though Facts | 33 | https://facebook.com/100091906072208 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56738 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 5:13 AM | 1703105783 | 1747822424 | 65 | 906200397596380 | 2 | 8.8272357971301E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632223580115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796761 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404327768_305939762335538_2297504911306077660_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ICRG-65qGZUAX9Qk8qD&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCUYRxSDAES1F4unwqKfLPh_6_CnazXetjBTapYkGx4BA&oe=65893411 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405602185_1633672500370323_6664638351772778812_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LcSVURGcfcMAX-Du58W&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQx6-3SKGJJKdg--YGYHA7NGDOeXPILl28tUFHDOF4_A&oe=65879D55 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55278 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/21/25, 7:56 AM | 1703105768 | 1742561815 | 65 | 885410979955313 | 1 | 3.5394792723200E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534232807096 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1703015857 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410839095_896397405221444_3735342546829347375_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kpc8nIl7JacAX8MlnUr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDP2eLVO1qCtlwbA73OJ_beZpZlIvFfU2NfhXETx7ygRA&oe=658845B7 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410722633_1029068811692872_6759603150190079141_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SC9_xWkNcHcAX_BCiN4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAmPYKOeyheT8mQMMJJQEqrMd4H5nYmzTD2vEUz6E-f3Q&oe=658806E6 | 0 | 3 | Hello baby ❤️❤️❤️❤️📸📸📸 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56141 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 7:42 PM | 1703105777 | 1723077747 | 65 | 737272637786473 | 1 | 3.8630982706286E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155254540476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094504 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409729634_325667553751145_5421402331440301163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aJ1yEGggWSsAX8fPsU0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBW_ONVolxcKNH7FBhsOjfu8eZFMg3xZMEs59lo2jrqEA&oe=65878947 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409533553_1027679691825946_8541372440370692698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_KEOjTTHYKAAX_rUkAX&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMFhHd-s4aKbGWWUHdfcXnru2LYCdwd4mTbE-E10d0eA&oe=6588A993 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56216 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 5:20 AM | 1703105778 | 1747822813 | 65 | 3241027996199785 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074058470476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015926 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409111269_1029847298226762_1269292537890859034_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mvauVDr3MR4AX9w1UdF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDpMUeIYls1PgirC4z_6pFSkjkYjhIY-l1WYZuAMw0Ypw&oe=6588BCF4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408967790_340295661956522_8274557222186122128_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UBQ61wkkeMcAX8SshKB&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfArtUUbyWgzAu9sxIL0FTzRQHXRrg9WeDirXDeWGnD9cA&oe=658858C7 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55957 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/9/25, 1:51 PM | 1703105775 | 1749495110 | 65 | 6332728850162849 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207705935030456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389467 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409394927_647387077356910_2669447857043566122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_2ElUJExhOYAX9bOnP1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCxBWr3h7tALxLrpQkf_cggi7QMVEe4jxzJ_7JPV1kyyw&oe=65890A51 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55375 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/29/24, 8:44 AM | 1703105769 | 1724939095 | 65 | 309482292064015 | 16 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX8fEc10&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfApy4aIKhrgMgWdTPUXdt98C21wTOxDE7TDjaI7nqiUOg&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56966 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/29/24, 9:39 AM | 1703105786 | 1724942396 | 65 | 1139080123739782 | 5 | 1.442981893229E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201779378060250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678825 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478384_307379925475582_6668460916514100970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vdNMyEbD_1IAX8ITtXy&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC6pjAQIipQyOGS8JmQ-dnJa2pHDVGqQgbXaUAWkQf07Q&oe=6588A135 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55456 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/22/25, 5:48 AM | 1703105770 | 1742640497 | 65 | 2661094050720770 | 3.4553345143511E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201982455950452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702863778 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412122381_1400327727539349_5129120274281020814_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CUIIdBG51AUAX8nhnuI&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCE11tmIJM_3SH4o4V4TLnW2YEobLNCfsaW2CGo92vshQ&oe=6588EDF9 | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412153799_865426912255231_8070560085185936766_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d8rVD7mIgOgAX9Rz6hN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAj7f--OCxpiy-4ie1nfVyZxkvk17fue4sK6dcBbBtEBQ&oe=6587F1D2 | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT3ZwN5ihPeGdphaqwhPGbYiuxL0pWHHzDXJhRWd2PjRN-bTixwKGFKh3enWWWHmX0JcEoWLgzM_Fe8JcQCGXCFklRaqcZU-_hKtPS7X9vQdioLI6q-L8Nzc_ELGxh3L-gTrXGFfwO3sSzPCfFnOFfUJ-q0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55362 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/2/25, 12:50 AM | 1703105769 | 1740898235 | 65 | 3641435772807716 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55498 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 3:06 AM | 1703105770 | 1729238785 | 65 | 198503056590090 | 1 | 8.5716519942447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102669981494367 | 0 | God's Evangelistic Ministry | 120204076481800062 | Send message | NONE | video | Who chooses the person who will work for Jesus? Text; Colossians 3:23-24. | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can you tell me more about your organization?","response":""},{"title":"Where is your organization located?","response":""},{"title":"Can you tell me more about your programs?","response":""}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702778834 | 1.0266998149437E+14 | God's Evangelistic Ministry | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411462581_728809242154544_1392397221716793147_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fplOBbnkNI8AX_5m4b5&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCw1giqmfqslWK4g2aw3OeJtvfBJh6gsxJMZO93LSQXfA&oe=658833B3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | We are all called to served Jesus. God choose those who will be faithful to Him at all times. Whether man or woman Jesus has given us the great commission to go and tell people about Him. | God's Evangelistic Ministry | 2009 | https://facebook.com/100069164177454 | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55554 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 3:06 AM | 1703105771 | 1729238785 | 65 | 787675196706714 | 2 | 3.0455943190674E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 103677768679700 | 0 | No Filter Advanced Esthetics | 120202717600910499 | Send message | NONE | video | Book now! | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"quick_replies":[],"text":"Hello, are you interested in Lymphatic Drainage?","ice_breakers":[{"title":"Hi! Yes, I would like to know more about Lymphatic Drainage"}]}},"image_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"template","payload":{"template_type":"generic","elements":[{"title":"","buttons":[]}]}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"Gostaria de obter mais informações","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hello, are you interested in Lymphatic Drainage?"}},"video_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"video","payload":{"attachment_id":""}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"Gostaria de obter mais informações","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hello, are you interested in Lymphatic Drainage?"}},"user_edit":true,"surface":"visual_editor_new","template_id":"1255473405055607","phone_number":"+14158028620","template_version":3,"ice_breakers_edited":true} | 1702651480 | 1.036777686797E+14 | No Filter Advanced Esthetics | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410713799_729088348759792_5126347032967198119_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3u6hGTozkwQAX_9Xuwl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAho5Hk2Ssjz752HfVhJj-ZWbGELYImE2aFGT8aHC7xuw&oe=658805DA | person_profile | 0 | No Filter - San Mateo Face and Body SPA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410677608_2106798149658145_16848826007730241_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=abnSFWRslcYAX8mygUK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAKFh8DFpxGT8K4nV-02U3Ck0WWNRMxz2tcDlIhZFGphA&oe=6587BA72 | 0 | 3 | Lymphatic Drainage helps with swelling, recovery, boost immunity, decreases stress and much more! Come try this amazing massage. <br /> <br /> Book now! | No Filter Advanced Esthetics | 159 | https://facebook.com/nofilteradvanced | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55972 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 9/11/24, 6:46 PM | 1703105775 | 1726098396 | 65 | 338504405573323 | 1 | 1.0924869285899E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108524135250933 | 0 | William Helburn | 120201929776970593 | instagram.com | Contact us | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/william_helburn | 1702234047 | 1.0852413525093E+14 | William Helburn | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409720899_342506488486034_2960365884588373862_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XtkYP21hccIAX9SqWI0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAJ8p-1d3onW2VUt-vAHa3zKL7izBNJYjuNDKppDM8CUw&oe=65883572 | person_profile | 0 | William Helburn | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409574946_1402799847027508_6668014088073201077_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q3MUaeBiCNsAX_vWLM0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBIhnsAVyq0dt_QhBvTbeMPbBB_ed6fnMZWcR18NzOSAg&oe=6588D490 | 0 | 3 | "Joanna McCormick Lipstick Bullet" now making its Paris debut at Bill's first solo European show at Galerie GADCOLLECTION in the Marais. | William Helburn | 6 | https://facebook.com/WilliamHelburn | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56627 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 8:12 AM | 1703105782 | 1747833154 | 65 | 299223456415367 | 3 | 2.4809024668697E+16 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690725840115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055908 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404676869_306467712299601_6303177923733190172_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rgk_R9isLDUAX9ziJzB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCjI1w5hLvpJPmLtJz1q5AbOJ0X0rmDEve8KF8lgHWLNw&oe=658930FE | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406027949_1029507671663126_8895959747435154165_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OvMhPqm_JMYAX_d-hNb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAY-zWkejdpzpz4-2utI9qm2U-acxluqtB_QSXGywkmGg&oe=65893F92 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56397 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 3:59 AM | 1703105780 | 1729241970 | 65 | 6722945277754165 | 1 | 1.3651915710885E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101598762667562 | 0 | Blanco entertainment | 120201401733150549 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701636105 | 1.0159876266756E+14 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406684923_333773566043668_9016320771420804497_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTeNYcIZPwUAX9caevP&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfA0YW-9dRoJxyUKfQmJTWM27cqTBlsE-GFmhDwo93HN7A&oe=65886375 | person_profile | 0 | Blanco entertainment | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406664352_346558938106720_4841121969708572702_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dXngWK_75nsAX8loQed&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfA6CHn7SrMOCMTthB_FBpr9xzyMFI7HaZAPnvr-CvnVoQ&oe=6589147D | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Blanco entertainment | 50 | https://facebook.com/100084702515578 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55645 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/6/25, 10:29 PM | 1703105772 | 1743996597 | 65 | 1131132781192411 | 1 | 1.414812329102E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045259090514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702610951 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409827481_3505026656478156_406034287203480130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SbeeWA6unysAX_FzuqN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9h6XC0rYKSybGCJi5_BVYQWI_pshTGAUHUpvjnnCr_Q&oe=65887202 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411086117_6840335756077658_6848402113689941637_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=60fptr4wGesAX_EMPFQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBIbN-1eSbVY9LhwhrI53uYGTl4eE0nUOgvy3goc7DJRQ&oe=65891B58 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56310 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 9:30 AM | 1703105779 | 1747837820 | 65 | 702525355176370 | 1 | 1.5782599827073E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881966800476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856032 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406702864_752155826725221_8943045242935961895_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CALdfZnlEVEAX-F5nDP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB-p1OhXDNiXQAzIP4jufZnzkuOrCJpxi1Z2R5fzmHsgA&oe=6588FE15 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406698633_1806933503100133_341614838645379825_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qWZ2qdhda80AX9OOyUh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAYsNAbDtq5byFUQHiXWr-1b34YWu6PJIwqRI2TWzHMQ&oe=6587D44F | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55323 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 2:07 PM | 1703105768 | 1723576074 | 65 | 7016851168380076 | 1 | 6.9038510319194E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475741030743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977038 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412415298_1366113007443470_3956399996216946239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=moWCdyUoZ2AAX_Zl0l7&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDSL83kQos_8MpbL4gB5zAeAgvcPdS2CTk2lU9xw7K_fg&oe=6588AF37 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412084759_269788169090068_4034997395979685768_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RLS6uNCFoJMAX9yH0-1&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDSbM87dl3QTniYeIN5ffxeUAnidF2Hqwj-QKmDBx16A&oe=6589174C | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56203 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970815 | 65 | 645997544139780 | 1 | 3.1732124789131E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074123070476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016167 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408977471_1432674283985935_481486542824619332_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ac4V0YvdcxAAX9NBmm6&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfA_ebtukZtNIswpxpiETrLOQW63j0XSw08KnN_KIPwjyw&oe=65887A71 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408987709_721346516385247_283151612702207308_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y57PwLDbnGkAX9Po_Yb&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDk5SfxYaXt293B_c_UIGjHZrsWJTnKUNVX7TF9rv1RsA&oe=6588B166 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56629 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 3:13 PM | 1703105782 | 1723579990 | 65 | 361544139684044 | 1 | 7.5598732655484E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203280985690596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701067784 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404759693_1399538900773427_4006900751328766408_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L_0m0yBEPqkAX85rcIA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCh72U-IFHc_RnBhWYzS9fwwYm-oJQJUNLgz6YuxO7Onw&oe=65878F17 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404622499_338755772094357_8524569076293719453_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BkgRfaYqcccAX-RGBwO&_nc_oc=AQlEMx5Fla_rKJVQqfX45dxch4vZmTPXL1aDetYhvMwN-p4b2uMt8KSgzTDuWq9RQpw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCL1CMTUzshC_dLIlLDfkk_KckdVz4rtP83wL90ftyFhA&oe=6588582E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55766 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/9/25, 4:43 PM | 1703105773 | 1736462621 | 65 | 709644344216658 | 7.013065186452E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | logged_out | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409906260_864005982079610_3896895483156584497_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GUq017wJXNUAX_Dmrdj&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDIZ9oe-2JvB43Mcey0up4Iz06wdG0LrcLen3J7khLFGQ&oe=6587C4E2 | person_profile | 0 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56192 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 10:59 AM | 1703105777 | 1745855993 | 65 | 721119496606734 | 1 | 1.1286477218022E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672500390427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030399 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408054967_1449949025660208_9016130772082601126_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CrdR2z5SK6YAX9qpP6a&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCPnvUsLfPgmxkMFGLt9YIGT6ywSMEgeyHP1HlcP8Drpg&oe=65882633 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407990605_904181730912074_7476023733112313584_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TEgsLMVlFLQAX_wc-29&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfD_8ZgSvUiYfyLo-uFcO4BC7ojnC3XbEniUEbLC7FWWRw&oe=6588EBFB | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56932 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 5:47 AM | 1703105786 | 1729248473 | 65 | 751223916846262 | 5 | 1.7938580343989E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102865022224801 | 0 | Tell All Know All | 120200721466810167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679791 | 1.028650222248E+14 | Tell All Know All | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762291_1473273089884334_200510394569536447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=myoXacbeIywAX_1BHEl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8CjfFNypp3ZvQ1B0Db-IIaNRxVcdGpzuvE508Qw9xOQ&oe=65890CC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Tell All Know All | 330 | https://facebook.com/100076181432751 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55244 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 4:02 AM | 1703105768 | 1746608576 | 65 | 754973076391962 | 1 | 1.7342200337067E+15 | 1699344000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 120201757266650563 | https://projektbogini.com.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | LUSTRO SPEŁNIONEJ MIŁOŚCI. | ON Twoim Lustrem A co, jeśli to NIE ON TWORZY TRUDNE RELACJE?A TWOJE…lustrzane odbicie.Bo nikt tak bardzo celnie i dokładnie NIE WYCIĄGNIE Z CIEBIE UKRYTEGO BÓLU, JAK on…. Jeśli kiedykolwiek zastanawiałaś się: Dlaczego On zachowuje się w sposób daleki od miłości, mimo że nawet jest ... | https://jestemkochanka.pl/on-twoim-lustrem-2-2/ | 1698775209 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/396874620_1052321319255103_4289279209207285385_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HZvgoXA7hS0AX8z2WJI&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBiog7F7fI3aPqSXIfkog4NaywsOQyKZiBD7KIaD_qB4w&oe=6588290E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🔴On Twoim lustrem. I co z tego….? <br /> <br /> Często pytają mnie kobiety, jak to właściwie działa zasada lustra. <br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, że bardzo dużo z siebie daję w tej relacji, angażuję się, chcę, a on wręcz odwrotnie- wycofany, nieobecny, pasywny, unikający?”<br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, że jesteśmy w cyklu zerwania powroty, a ja chce naprawdę tego związku?” <br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, jak on nie decyduje, a ja wiem, że chcę być z nim?”<br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> Jak to jest, że on mnie okłamał, a ja naprawdę mam uczucia i jestem szczera?<br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, że on nie dotrzymuje mi słowa, obiecuje i potem tego nie spełnia. To przecież on tak robi.Ja ni nie jestem temu winna.” <br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro?<br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, że on np. mnie zdradził, a byłam zawsze wierna i starałam się?” <br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> “Jak to jest, że ja chcę mieć jasność do tego co dalej, a on unika tematu i nic nie jest dla niego jasne?”<br /> <br /> To gdzie tu lustro? <br /> <br /> Dobre pytania. <br /> I pora je wyjaśnić. <br /> <br /> Żebyś wreszcie wiedziała, jak zasadę lustra wykorzystać do tego, aby Twoje relacje odbijały tylko miłość. <br /> <br /> 🔴<br /> Przeczytaj to uważnie<br /> <br /> Lustro NIE zawsze jest wprost. Czyli, NIE JEST TO PRAWDĄ CODZIENNĄ, że to co dajemy do nas wraca. Bo przecież dajesz z siebie wiele, ale wraca mało. <br /> <br /> Dajesz miłość i zaangażowanie, a wraca unikanie, kręcenie, milczenie, czasem zdrada. <br /> <br /> Lustro( jego zachowań), w relacji, która jest nierówna pokazuję Ci” ta PRAWDĘ O TOBIE, której sama nie widzisz. <br /> To są na przykład twoje: <br /> lęki, <br /> to jak sama siebie nieświadomie “ sabotujesz” ,<br /> wzorce reakcji, zachowań, których nie jesteś świadoma, <br /> traumy z dzieciństwa, <br /> niezaspokojone wewnętrzne potrzeby. <br /> <br /> Pamiętaj, że On ma też swoje wzorce. I dlatego tak do siebie “ pasujecie”. <br /> <br /> Lustro pokazuje Ci, że Twój obraz siebie (ten nieuświadomiony), Twoja koncepcja siebie) domaga się weryfikacji i zmiany. <br /> Ja wiem, że kiedy jesteś traktowana “ w sposób daleki od miłości” , zdradzona, wyczekującą, a Ty się starasz, to wydaje się być absurdem.<br /> <br /> Ale nie jest. <br /> <br /> Choćby dlatego, że prawdopodobnie, wiele razy chciałaś coś zmienić, prosiłaś, rozmawiałaś, szukałaś rozwiązania, a np. sprawy wróciły na stare tory. <br /> <br /> Albo, po trudny rostaniu się, zaleczyłaś rany, po to, aby kolejny mężczyzna Ci “ jeszcze bardziej rozgrzebał”. I właściwe w kolejnej relacji było tak samo, tylko gorzej. <br /> <br /> Lustro pokazuję To, co sam przed sobą “ukrywasz”, czemu zaprzeczasz w sobie, czego nie widzisz, co domaga się ujrzenia, uznania i uzdrowienia. <br /> I on Ci to będzie pokazywać, tak długo, aż tym się nie zajmiesz. <br /> Aż nie zajmiesz się byciem dla siebie najważniejszą. <br /> <br /> I teraz konkretny przykład. <br /> <br /> Jeśli np. Ty dajesz z siebie za dużo, angażujesz się a on bierze, albo unika, albo ucieka,. A ty masz poczucie , że im więcej dajesz, tym bardziej on ucieka, unika, nie ceni. <br /> To jego zachowanie w lustrze pokazuje i “pyta Cię” : <br /> <br /> Co masz dać sobie? <br /> Jak bardzo sam siebie cenisz, kochasz, jak bardzo jesteś obecna dla siebie? <br /> On unika żeby Ci pokazać, że może nie jesteś dla siebie obecna. <br /> Jak Ty sama siebie cenisz? Co masz w sobie docenić? <br /> <br /> Rozumiesz teraz? <br /> <br /> Tak działa lustro. <br /> <br /> A jeśli teraz chcesz już zakończyć TE LUSTRZANE GRY, i świadomie mieć związek, którego jesteś warta<br /> to dołącz do mojego mini kursu z maxi efektami: On twoim lustrem. <br /> <br /> 🔴Kliknij w przycisk " Dowiedz się więcej". <br /> <br /> I przejdź `na stronę LUSTRA SPEŁNIONEJ MIŁOŚCI. | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1698908400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56229 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 6:38 AM | 1703105778 | 1729251480 | 65 | 340476698683329 | 1 | 3.6006269335567E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110406065000734 | 0 | Joanna Valdez - Texas Realtor | 120201475520830018 | Send message | NONE | image | New Year NEW Home! | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"I'm interested. Can you tell me more?"},{"title":"Can I speak to an agent?"},{"title":"Are there any new properties available?"}],"quick_replies":[],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"image_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"template","payload":{"template_type":"generic","elements":[{"title":"","buttons":[]}]}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"video_format":{"customer_action_type":"quick_replies","message":{"attachment":{"type":"video","payload":{"attachment_id":""}},"quick_replies":[{"title":"I'd like to learn more","content_type":"text"}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"visual_editor_new"} | 1702007739 | 1.1040606500073E+14 | Joanna Valdez - Texas Realtor | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409407630_1068687334286459_176261787938177658_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K7pAiTpqT1gAX_O00vj&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCj4w_QzwqmuJL7BV1DoaJgNFub-UODSPulwPs4mdJ6pw&oe=65885E3F | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA VALDEZ | TX REALTOR® | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/392778041_670514888400741_8955833700732352388_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RAI7f6e2xhcAX_czJBE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBMmCnZiRappWssgdz8hmuiKfsAE8xrsQQfYrPUybKpGQ&oe=65880D75 | 0 | 3 | You have enough resolutions to focus on, let me handle getting you into your Brand New Build.<br /> <br /> Builders are offering SO many incentives right now, contact me to help find the right builder for you! | Joanna Valdez - Texas Realtor | 102 | https://facebook.com/sellingTXSA | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55440 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/16/24, 5:54 AM | 1703105769 | 1731758076 | 65 | 272166352517697 | 10 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202488704280307 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702880607 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411117437_1119086652562930_3585023902021012766_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sf0TLgmmkasAX8KPdrm&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC5HuFFaEBUIqM55Za3_v497vMT_c4dlYzTek7qThue8Q&oe=6588ACD6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56827 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/16/25, 11:48 AM | 1703105784 | 1750092523 | 65 | 690435139851908 | 1 | 1.0868131490005E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 153363448096406 | 0 | The Uncaged Life | 6456278213603 | theuncagedlife.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.theuncagedlife.com/uyb-fb | 1698079737 | 1.5336344809641E+14 | The Uncaged Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393749158_337389215640171_4541570647876136544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0WHcn1zo1PIAX9FnE_N&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDaVy3VqGs7Wv3ZbKMSwrCjlOPSAazA79FVjYQXkGAymg&oe=6587C0ED | person_profile | 0 | Rebecca Tracey | Business help for coaches | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393762813_337283105621523_3785227948592362078_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vqC4Fhb6GHYAX9WSxYX&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPEBuWavxOedR4R3tHk349fdwjUG3y-xBrIZmytecXYw&oe=6587AECA | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | The Uncaged Life | 16840 | https://facebook.com/TheUncagedLife | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55368 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 5:10 PM | 1703105769 | 1723587040 | 65 | 1073064580544577 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951472390043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963076 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411079635_975606220419557_7407835480805041454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-vzBmDh9HBgAX86zLFd&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAv5Q9KS9Md3zJfon70SLcCiUSX1p6f_Jx9S81X3LKcaw&oe=65885548 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55959 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105775 | 1722970815 | 65 | 1749564562211324 | 3 | 2.9873383587064E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140225069170076 | 0 | HistoryNow | 120207706234650456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389737 | 1.4022506917008E+14 | HistoryNow | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408230933_1039972947434648_8610532371262002157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V2_BhT2sF4oAX93ybty&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCh0O7QyvqsDiR7N63blV4kzuZvHdzkYrn6OzWy1dyWgA&oe=6588167C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | HistoryNow | 264 | https://facebook.com/61551862348233 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55361 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/8/25, 3:49 AM | 1703105769 | 1744102145 | 65 | 858305856040763 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55482 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970815 | 65 | 1098169371177083 | 2 | 1.9852674018597E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 128872460299034 | 0 | Windstore12-2 | 120203476588700402 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your family | JOANNA-A16 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a16 | 1702824352 | 1.2887246029903E+14 | Windstore12-2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412121252_676718841117356_6307401640492261380_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=32i9LqE-864AX8DWkz0&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCq1PsFLdf2mYLEdFZQv6PHbBBjTS5qvZuv18xMVCYPqA&oe=65878C3C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0xFI9z-5qjht2GMDWDgh9ra0b7LhDQGEXMrjDAXz78oLNkfgYdGUAIjIctGHgN4jhvQdlD8OwwN_G0Pc-P4CsT01d5ZjB0qFLQikR274HCXXIdA2Y6FD6DAdXiuFwYZe7a6nVZ0_vnWFc6Ifi7jyher6s" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | Windstore12-2 | 2 | https://facebook.com/61550627315369 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55264 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970815 | 65 | 1026887541918809 | 2 | 7.1736665033051E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203653110750183 | NONE | text | 1702922983 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412315546_269951816085645_1421101670576023690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gq5TU0hE_H4AX9-BMxJ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeoBGTdtL04ePrs6LDc-ZdnXE4uqgcUU6YhdMAwWbzEA&oe=65888E28 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | One of the greatest joys of the holiday season is giving. Here are some great ways to give back to Fort Bend County!<br /> <br /> 1) Toys for Tots Presorting: help sort toys and set up for the 2023 Toys for Tots toys distribution. <br /> 2) Volunteer as a bell-ringer or angel tree attendant.<br /> 3) Provide pantry items or volunteer with Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry's Holiday food program.<br /> 4) Volunteer to help homeless families across Fort Bend. <br /> 5) Area pet shelters are always looking for volunteers especially during "Home for the Holidays" campaigns. Remember to adopt, don't shop! Consider volunteering with Fort Bend Animal Services.<br /> <br /> Check the comments for the links to sign up for each volunteering event. Hope to catch you at one!<br /> <br /> Locals, are there any I’m missing?<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56082 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970815 | 65 | 198676736640822 | 1 | 2.1078608395597E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204871519930427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702210989 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408123395_384341080709272_1097510747898251926_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KI4A1Bp50HkAX80Njhm&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBKQRTjqAVYsO-9Hzm8UahkdwvLgoet3BAjdH-ywsWPmg&oe=6588B180 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408149355_2436377796569260_4808543807493039636_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Eqhpobe-OgYAX_XPfQA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCldiPwJsVrwfUEZ6OqhS1x1W66kFimLqJxeJ_k9TDy4A&oe=6587E064 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55628 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 7:40 AM | 1703105771 | 1729255257 | 65 | 672009678456438 | 1 | 6.7255111828593E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107614042433214 | 0 | Household Expertise | 120201926001490576 | homeknowledge.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Your DIY Destination | https://www.homeknowledge.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555037 | 1.0761404243321E+14 | Household Expertise | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410149338_339322292202296_9005478757483325503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=egXTflmEFSoAX8m4rRj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCyMurNAi4bTcf-cLMhcCNFxbkYdcTgn86dS8WJB2gq-Q&oe=65890B40 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Household Expertise | 819 | https://facebook.com/100095775841967 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56798 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 4:01 PM | 1703105784 | 1723582884 | 65 | 6885095571571132 | 1 | 8.0149880439889E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103895775355823 | 0 | VANIL A BEAN | 120201652891910355 | www.vanilabean.net | Shop now | NONE | video | https://www.vanilabean.net/ | 1700818256 | 1.0389577535582E+14 | VANIL A BEAN | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405743584_665212872265849_7494141990441798260_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vLHZDq3VJNIAX-Dk6vi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDmhca3W11zQaDPG6SVx8DdDweWKSsS4HYiQAaZmESKqQ&oe=6588B66C | person_profile | 0 | 𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋 𝐀 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐍 ™ | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405092904_673175948134215_377909714410564381_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ud6DFIFNBSsAX9fEnzW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtHeiT9sB37lRuNlQY1bPcsqixBC0kwKorcFBAReEQlQ&oe=658874C1 | 0 | 3 | 🌱👨🏽🌾🍦🧁 " You have become my go-to vanilla store! Excellent service, fast delivery and the best vanilla products I have ever received!" - Joanna <br /> <br /> Looking for a gourmet vanilla bean that can take your baking to the next level? Look no further than our award-winning Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Bali, Indonesia! This Grade-A Bourbon Vanilla Bean is perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your home baking!<br /> <br /> Try the exotic taste of vanilla with a 40% discount applied to your order! Don't miss out, stocks are limited! <br /> <br /> Shop now and join our vanil a bean family 👪<br /> <br /> -<br /> <br /> -<br /> <br /> #vanillacake #bakinglove #baker #bakery #baking #vanilla #gourmetfood #pastrychef #pastry #vanillabean #vanillaicecream #recipes #instacake #instafood #foodblogger #foodporn | VANIL A BEAN | 282 | https://facebook.com/vanil.a.bean.enterprise | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56860 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 4:03 PM | 1703105785 | 1723583033 | 65 | 1489847295138612 | 3 | 8.0224168165832E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611859640115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722770 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405067424_1048990389675810_2322541919125525464_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BMYC5g6YVCEAX8BU3Wr&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBnZ2a5ffK60nzm__l-XsNjHqDeVs7fYZJbDBZ3NNwJtA&oe=6589338F | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402661079_7485680441456355_396166741755821054_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gcu8QeVMSpMAX8Zu33L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9rxk2V2lYRYxHx0YtDuS7m6qfPpFOSf2va1GLQX-QmA&oe=6587CEC5 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55306 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/8/25, 2:20 AM | 1703105768 | 1744096804 | 65 | 274820548553382 | 1 | 3.9647849604984E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534145623496 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996692 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412284703_1061264801786591_3084514327636658461_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q7yPsJbR1mcAX_geGnN&_nc_oc=AQkGN9atUkZrRWBP6M8TgS5Pi5qg3JfNACCN_44w87iSr2NoWbUEGi7VNbS_UCOYelw&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAe6UkF7V9BlJaia8oWaWnpmyBqEDUQTcvOR8U5U6AMAQ&oe=6588EDED | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412327081_380338791057252_1231966715372788568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7pstDJldNKIAX-MilDM&_nc_oc=AQlWnFzMZHvw7NUOHRBg8fWwAO_UE4CoBbUi0KyPtWd8M0W4F3QIqrxn38CFs2WswKc&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC71L1Q44TTIDqCiBB-pJ4oxI8kMVBHmSxcY72dHB6aIQ&oe=65893CB9 | 0 | 3 | 🤍#newbornphotography #newborn #newbornbaby #sandiegonewbornphotographer #littlemiracle | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55900 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/18/24, 7:08 PM | 1703105774 | 1731978492 | 65 | 340235362081165 | 8.470059204479E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 454352131285800 | 0 | The Postal Service | 6501135375489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702317219 | 4.543521312858E+14 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408208062_890585912666627_5712608656321675971_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bZQUvcGW_xsAX8MOmmD&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCm6GWjsafGrn0VFhRNObhpmz-lyj073GmIyJtkS8FDeA&oe=65875AAA | person_profile | 0 | The Postal Service | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408159307_7164565623600796_646357759109538999_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1LAXtUvcDWMAX-fPXxo&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDBP2kIRJGCqKbOYoHNlIPJw1Utu8XYVgOwyr_J8K712w&oe=6588E315 | 0 | 3 | Join us at Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0Ovp69u13AZjpLZ_uGYJ7cDkQCeoVLRUuDVIGf8oUmHfQghqKD5eS4oLmnFCGoxUgQwoQBhTe8OixvkCPTlz5XF5X6nt5u9Z6ZXdhKqRNZfBZqOs39fPsSqHW7zHF-bPtZ8f67toaqOjARthvAag9vGdDoL7jlpqaC7taAXQs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | The Postal Service | 583778 | https://facebook.com/thepostalservice | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55717 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1722970816 | 65 | 1337495410204545 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 122608000815989 | 0 | Hashtag Hacks | 120203302558830222 | hacksdetective.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.hacksdetective.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702471100 | 1.2260800081599E+14 | Hashtag Hacks | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410669011_6839165149470624_779027336820668498_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xjXK4Jt-sqoAX-OWe0Q&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCoCFSeqiGOBhfja3_Ooj_1ofxY-ECXjAPML12H9Blbbw&oe=6587AE15 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Hashtag Hacks | 622 | https://facebook.com/100092170448156 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55459 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/20/24, 11:46 AM | 1703105770 | 1729442770 | 65 | 366398499274030 | 1 | 1.7135254258265E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 575104275932120 | 0 | The Greatest Gift | 6506048501937 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?","response":""},{"title":"I'm interested. Can you tell me more?","response":""},{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?","response":""}],"text":"Hi! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702863223 | 5.7510427593212E+14 | The Greatest Gift | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412013870_1089405088880965_3114758088282582213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2zck0mqbHkAAX9sX4Zc&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBcrR-5Vxp3A8evRu0K0v8M3dxjoKduLwKA-5hVO-jUQg&oe=6588A779 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Sunday evening worship servic e | The Greatest Gift | 1256 | https://facebook.com/wearethegreatestgift | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55673 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/23/25, 11:25 AM | 1703105772 | 1737631500 | 65 | 1224911641767660 | 1 | 1.4280339977817E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105865084082285 | 0 | Agnieszka Stepanek - Life Coach | 120202613160580052 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/agnieszka.stepanek.coach | 1702594700 | 1.0586508408228E+14 | Agnieszka Stepanek - Life Coach | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409830310_1107908533980907_7320563520114119867_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPG78yGnCssAX8024Lh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAzHFvuuVYd5QWTQzKm09zAt82MHRoqIqtJFbihDekDtg&oe=6588C400 | person_profile | 0 | Agnieszka Stepanek | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409800906_740918557955211_3614119185989650133_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bbfyHwdJ-CMAX98SN8Z&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMZ81rVTyWeFHF_wur9FGNYhW8MpwT6ckCkNHXy2AQeQ&oe=65874EDB | 0 | 3 | Calym sercem polecam #dogadacsieztymiktorychnoemozeszzrozumiec “Dogadac sie z nastolatkiem , dojrzalosc i szacunek w relacji “ <br /> Agnieszka Kozak <br /> Joanna Bedendt <br /> Duzo tutaj mowie , pisze o tym jak wazna jest dobra , zdrowa , bezpieczna relacja / komunikacja z dzieckiem ale rowniez ze samym soba ❤️Jak wiele zaczyna sie od Nas rodzicow , jak wazne jest aby zobaczyc swoje #przekonania #schematymyślowe #etykiety #stereotypowemyślenie czasem rowniez swoje #dzieciństwo ! Wazne aby poznac siebie i z taka ciekawoscia poznawac dziecko , ktore juz tu i teraz mamy ❤️Zobaczyc rowniez jego trudnosci …. Rozmawiac tak aby uslyszec druga osobe 🙌🏻<br /> Wiecie , ze bliskie mojemu sercu jest #porozumieniebezprzemocy jak rowniez #rodzicielstwobliskosci ! Tym bardziej jako #wysokowrażliwa mama chce wspierac jak najlepiej umiem i moge moje dzieci … tak samo was jako #certyfikowanycoach ❤️<br /> Dbajcie o siebie , dbajcie o swoje dzieci a ta ksiazka jest CUDO ! #ksiazka #czytamwszędzie #terapia #mamacoach #swiadomamama #swiadomytata #dziecisawazne | Agnieszka Stepanek - Life Coach | 128 | https://facebook.com/100063861523690 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56970 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 3:24 PM | 1703105786 | 1747859041 | 65 | 1333603377529562 | 5 | 6.7252928135758E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779124310250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678212 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625066_3576316099290479_3496808059134504848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PNE-Nwr-wvYAX_s2mx_&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASOr8LrvX1HBwc85NZls7LC0wnIb7uAsnjDqrVza5-Lg&oe=6587E3EF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55671 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/23/25, 5:00 PM | 1703105772 | 1737651608 | 65 | 1092149315477595 | 2 | 1.6683293536759E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 416589001735771 | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | 120203556422740552 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/djjoannacoelho | 1702600080 | 4.1658900173577E+14 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409729064_725304356166835_9205073919019851082_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UAKo4uZ3yagAX_9jSmF&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBQKqKgRTDZdf7EGWnbiICAK5Y1J5Cy4PbnTeX09UP2uQ&oe=6587B5D8 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410206174_705643528239757_5791485845477554125_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ra_ql5fPvl4AX8iksNq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfASjnluUpD3qd9WS8HXesK8eyHhZ0ISQR0MTb8MeB7oUg&oe=658854D4 | 0 | 3 | Still recovering ❤️🩹 @jaleomusicalmeria thank you so much to every single one of you 🔥<br /> <br /> 📹📸 @legrandleseur <br /> <br /> #hardtechno #darktechno #rave #industrialtechno #acidtechno #harddancemusic #berlintechno #uktechno #soundcloudmix #fasttechno #harddance #joannacoelho | JOANNA COELHO | 21301 | https://facebook.com/djjoannacoelho | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56424 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/7/24, 8:16 PM | 1703105780 | 1723079777 | 65 | 337036395704776 | 1 | 2.5605098382695E+14 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200878906590773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701423776 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406665513_319962394307526_1806561231623561161_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LMS0rWi-gPkAX9np38O&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5LtKue253HkLHwXFZO-Eq-vti6uwT7AkOkbpgpHdlXg&oe=6587AC52 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406654263_1946828692381412_3359890948985176602_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nF-FVWqkEEAAX9_Sd-p&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDZrokZaeYg4GLWGA0PyTs4tWU17tgKy2U2qP7wKCYIUA&oe=65891AB7 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56208 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/31/24, 10:39 AM | 1703105778 | 1735663184 | 65 | 1035716971072156 | 1 | 9.2618298226808E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074170590476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016106 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407976029_884250260020585_3922702087516270494_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0-GDPTf8JnEAX8mmttn&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDP4wWif9FwmsQgXFDEBa8NjT2BjeCNqoccZNy23G9QXg&oe=65877B11 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408013550_3640260342876659_2980185788599711961_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xrY0kz_RMkgAX9zRCDS&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAl0Pd5Aw6r6O-Il3pd2NbvQw0muEN59u0rI-LoglornQ&oe=65877074 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56956 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 4:29 PM | 1703105786 | 1747862967 | 65 | 940104374211008 | 3 | 1.3615746614205E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721229280167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679210 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404277972_1474047976500268_5505304021207958587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z141r6EMTGkAX_66FRq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZAUW8THUCjRfG1g-tgMybLJJvVO3YWtCzH2ak9rcF5w&oe=65888F78 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55247 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 6:32 AM | 1703105768 | 1734935529 | 65 | 189572160888879 | 1 | 8.8450340965446E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120202362779650087 | joannaczech.com | Shop now | NONE | image | New Arrivals, New Favorites | From Joanna Czech | https://www.joannaczech.com/collections/new-arrivals | 1701272424 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404702273_1508209453305019_6357617085409257160_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LAOUCcur-84AX_zJeCY&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAKouAbSgSWc65t8wvJ0ccL_zJujCOdytwahitgApq-3Q&oe=65893363 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404807501_1069170020777037_2418253723897307596_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oybXK2Uj5EgAX_FOtVQ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCGibslTMgtAUX8VazIB8fWNA-NR_QfDIusRJGmSDpfeQ&oe=6588D79B | 0 | 3 | Fresh favorites for your skincare routine. | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56516 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:11 PM | 1703105781 | 1747588303 | 65 | 387708053644944 | 3.6876741415128E+15 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120201714816210520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250801 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406018208_225011497280861_674139263032395191_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KXCVtbmkU5MAX96z5V5&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpVim1AfMWUTW-d2-G8VRsI6afkc6HhlcLfU_uBvVKaA&oe=65874BF7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55808 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/17/24, 3:51 AM | 1703105773 | 1723884686 | 65 | 1584164705722686 | 1 | 3.6886623231062E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509814560308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462369 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409703567_879214993880553_5246950180290670031_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HMOBFx_be38AX94DHgy&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDaI4Z19ypvhjfwKeFBNJDv8AM0KPTKiGr1sy78dBrzIQ&oe=65891EF5 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409699252_195406813643468_5511221066756573081_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1ct-bLzk604AX_iUowr&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2XOMyOdNh-Hj-ebh_uK3MxhMciYsAqbCC0YrUr5NfPg&oe=65875E35 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55820 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 6:45 PM | 1703105773 | 1723592710 | 65 | 378500774635248 | 2 | 1.3474892694688E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169355240427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462131 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409876092_243513971947077_6078181148745796496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ypJc-sGShDkAX_T3C3X&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfATCnzybTx-qVwgLu3VC5By6Mf8donkxpDocnY_2g9h5A&oe=65885645 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409575740_248798661356907_3402123472359706476_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8SLOoY8ALz4AX9-uiBW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBpXX9nIH3KbDs7kaBVSg_cvBpz_WJDPrsuAc_9j7406g&oe=6587E995 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56341 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/22/25, 1:55 AM | 1703105779 | 1747896948 | 65 | 3096598473809485 | 5.7004512862127E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 308901506171176 | 0 | Luluna Slings | 6522365506701 | No button | NONE | multi_images | 1701774968 | 3.0890150617118E+14 | Luluna Slings | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407116754_891600059186497_8298924628716235419_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FcMQr931rkkAX-WXGm7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFwPItMOfvITMN3oWdsMLQGMSLjeFT_ljcb95yw_8hxw&oe=6588B024 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🐺 DRAW TO PURCHASE 🐺 <br /> Saint Nicholas' Day FREE SHIPPING <br /> <br /> GEO WOLF MOONLIGHT<br /> 100% combed cotton, approx. 270 gsm<br /> <br /> Wolves Lovers,<br /> It's been long time when last Geo Wolf was here! Very long time! So now we want you remind about this beautiful pattern! Please welcome new Geo Wolf Moonlight ♥ It comes from the depths of space and it is looking for a new loving home! Do you know that there is a constellation called the Wolf? From Latin they call it "Lupus" and it is located in the deep Southern Sky! This pattern is simple beautiful. <br /> The Wolf Moonlight is very strong and durable because of high quality combed cotton. It is equally cuddly and soft at the same time. Amazing shades of black looks very magical like black night - just like the sky in the night full of shiny... Wolves! <br /> <br /> Available:<br /> s7 (5,2m) for €119<br /> s6 (4,6m) for €114<br /> s5 (4,2m) for €109<br /> s4 (3,6m) for €104<br /> s3 (3,2m) for €99<br /> scarf (2,0m) for €84<br /> <br /> Everyone who wants to purchase a wrap, please email us at lulunaslings@gmail.com <br /> Remember to include the size of the wrap you’d like to buy and of course your PayPal address! <br /> If you don't have PayPal please add info that you want to pay via bank transfer / credit card. <br /> The draw lasts until December 6th and we will send a message to happy winners about 10 a.m. CET.<br /> You have 1h to make a payment once you receive invoice from us.<br /> If you are outside Europe please let us know the country. Because of time difference we will give you more time to pay.<br /> Because we celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day 6th December there is free shipping for you as gift ♥<br /> <br /> Luluna <br /> <br /> (c) Luluna Slings (c) Joanna Weyna<br /> <br /> #wolfteam | Luluna Slings | 50486 | https://facebook.com/lulunaslings | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56027 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105776 | 1722970816 | 65 | 738565208176908 | 1 | 1.0107107533339E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 147357695117121 | 0 | Fiver Journeys | 120203350939840212 | travelfiber.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.travelfiber.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702294563 | 1.4735769511712E+14 | Fiver Journeys | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410382480_6775381439196806_297221478472678025_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zMqAS9EUhgkAX_Fa40V&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCY7g5shL8p-YJN5g_G3gDndRDUUNgadzZ5ZjRJFOrBsA&oe=6588FC16 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Fiver Journeys | 8 | https://facebook.com/61551473107469 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55794 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/13/24, 5:54 PM | 1703105773 | 1723589665 | 65 | 392591573117089 | 1 | 9.0661101749789E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102788312623629 | 0 | Good Night, John Boy | 6514564501444 | NONE | multi_images | 1702479905 | 1.0278831262363E+14 | Good Night, John Boy | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410635582_3043997242399341_7104510059999034787_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6Eii3sqRV9AAX8SE-Ge&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC5YKOE6G_DvZO2jbgx0cJcCrgQ1fKLZ25SjSFCi7LC0g&oe=65886468 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | We'll be bringing your favorite family from Walton's Mountain to the hometown of your favorite Fixer Uppers - Chip and Joanna Gaines - in March 2024!!!<br /> <br /> Sitting down to visit with Jim Bob Walton later today, aka David Harper, about the big Waltons Fest way down Texas way!<br /> Be watching our blog for more on that interview!<br /> <br /> Tickets for Waltons Fest are now available online and check out all of our upcoming events at:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravelroadmarket.com%2Fupcoming-events&h=AT3KitvM0v0GLRvugU3BgoPlE1nE-y5PVp7zU9EUc54wNEUka1zmkmXBRUCufAlJBe5zBThv9Yp00jlLFdk4M_bq1IFg2_Wu8h1DNZ1TUd8oZtrV1O_SSWcIIh4OidDylZ8DxfQCBmDHBp2K-xdKlZRw0D1NnT3Gx3tKAA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gravelroadmarket.com/upcoming-events</a> | Good Night, John Boy | 2279 | https://facebook.com/TheWaltonsAlongTheGravelRoad | 0 | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55303 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 7:48 PM | 1703105768 | 1742518085 | 65 | 877090687537780 | 1 | 1.006185703781E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534146263496 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996850 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411130975_6974185889341860_6243483223382310276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UlvN_yfG0dcAX_AloGk&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCVezt_gMwqWupSKk7dP4XyzWTboqTxXZ1TA_0AxPgeZg&oe=6587FAFD | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412421076_242853058830032_5190237905704921843_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CUsdWHPFVQUAX-F57kg&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB4ZPFtSedXjFVloa_SBFgger-jQ_ypYt-MM4o6BZPX0Q&oe=6587FC65 | 0 | 3 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55558 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/31/24, 3:29 PM | 1703105771 | 1735680594 | 65 | 262651523186844 | 1 | 7.2990578568470E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011772540506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636965 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409848658_1039748883796467_2939608002727517692_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5Jen-I6iYkoAX8mqE1x&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtSZM7S3dEz9x2uzjL98Wkd2sLmmner0nIPR-swjUvhQ&oe=6587DBA4 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409855988_203075172866003_3703130539103410307_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DOSgIEJDFFQAX9MDOsP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCroqCW4vo8B0AdZnX-qpgY50uYmMkdLiLrZx0r3P-n0A&oe=65886454 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56154 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/23/25, 6:03 PM | 1703105777 | 1737676998 | 65 | 337250112266854 | 1.5736298079326E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2014239222175733 | 0 | Gustaf | 6500383340289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702069934 | 2.0142392221757E+15 | Gustaf | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409197543_896854572074659_5192311263310662049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_nN4maUJ_EwAX_9Rhy6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBgKMO9h8pqUgSQIpYPxkUentOjyvtBGFyMdPim7vGzqw&oe=658869E8 | person_profile | 0 | Gustaf | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409531260_726770005627087_5692724977807837205_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kLRNNQygDa8AX9Iy9aY&_nc_oc=AQmxgdMM213fgRJj7BALDwMt_AYrFZ9ajCW_N3bEetYQWRG-SfKM5wkQ109aUayBUnzG68uHQXCbIxrdLUfVCyZk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPr7pIwAFm8bJSEudw4p6WSiI50P_GSP4esDqqmFeM4w&oe=6587673F | 0 | 3 | Great news Salt Lake City! We’re playing Kilby Block Party May 10-12! Tickets on sale now. We can’t wait — hope to see you there!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2WOjSKxRO-e83EKNZiSrAsggnSA358VYgd7KuIl-HHVCIJoP9JPVdq7mGc_2TBnyHIkwEZvukTUTA3xy5voe18VgglvQY65K2AaXDNlomog6bdH-8cFdvNbqwlQ2N9bSmdyJ3GRO0o94ykKO1K5PI-K4UVk0cJIYF_5w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Gustaf | 3662 | https://facebook.com/Gustafnyc | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56620 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 5:26 PM | 1703105782 | 1743027998 | 65 | 1011718113250283 | 3 | 3.4829510454682E+14 | 1701676800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 102071899574413 | 0 | Family Shirts B2 | 120201560244430754 | familyshirt.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTIONS | Best gifts for your Family | https://familyshirt.store/joanna-y1?product=unisex-hoodie | 1699785931 | 1.0207189957441E+14 | Family Shirts B2 | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400273114_331504589582049_639310208074002361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-F1pKdZrnh0AX86OFcY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRI4BxnAsYjN66sAgK9wYkIqZOJ2GnzhF5JyEAOMcqYA&oe=658773AC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> More designs here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilyshirt.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0nV4AbnPX97ru4MYD1NiGp-HGUlURW1uaf0yg0YNVzhEQmgGY9McBioOA1dVOMVjoHQ5pv1Xj0veb1nrcEpwKwwLLdZ7Bpaj017KR4_XmoglcjEUL_CWICIJ6o0hB2eH_Ya82HHziu8Sjllzce9A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://familyshirt.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Shirts B2 | 57 | https://facebook.com/100093120934925 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56428 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/10/24, 1:02 PM | 1703105780 | 1723312937 | 65 | 1790670191353400 | 1 | 1.7606949244283E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120200735069000540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701419207 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407448156_1797764757344658_6622656190005503561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jwSG0PgoJVQAX8jhmvV&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB2hsaO9Ng_Zwmc7UgKC01n0movStHxVLQ0ktkre4dAGQ&oe=658903B9 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407448444_363918646183594_7002541911663763969_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xIez8JbY2uMAX9jCiYt&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC58CZX4tGRQ2NvEue17_VaKuNdBEtHw1CCnW0G8tIBCQ&oe=6587B4BF | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56563 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 10:52 AM | 1703105781 | 1747151545 | 65 | 342300498496630 | 1 | 1.0273482749918E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300663160596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151547 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406034908_367551262403330_155013292048576146_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NB77dbYgukEAX_gmHt4&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBWXkfSfoACZ1NBJ2joJ2kEpUgGaxA6Pcq4gXb0O1pHOg&oe=658749E1 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406048581_228836180228616_7123002792598365609_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1u1mC5XtCakAX8kHHnN&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBnnrM8dRh9ToGKTQvj24U3iiey3J6NW6n5gAvAF3ztVg&oe=658820D2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56853 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 12:37 PM | 1703105785 | 1746639428 | 65 | 1063484818149376 | 1 | 3.5559725048229E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207942080403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724580 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405020592_214900721638280_3338978065311893105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iJpxPFwxHrIAX-Eal8l&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBcX2l4v_k3z3mWMI0cPpWryaQmViMdqUZoxHpIkucqjg&oe=6587A3E8 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405007305_596679792543534_1263220741716865671_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zTBy5Vhm3ZIAX8dOB3h&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBe0PIDy5j_Y1w3uIeMiTLbp2-HBPsRXwB6oglnYzxoqg&oe=658759CD | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55277 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 12:45 PM | 1703105768 | 1746639919 | 65 | 817595150120003 | 1 | 6.8555030706269E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 140821790176312 | 0 | Back On Bourbon Street | 120203035500880660 | No button | NONE | image | Back On Bourbon Street | Playing the best of New Orleans Rock and Rhythm & Blues! | https://facebook.com/backonbourbonstreet | 1703024838 | 1.4082179017631E+14 | Back On Bourbon Street | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412478405_329892099984357_5523572391258808382_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ar04hnUT2LYAX8OyxsQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDDMC7PSmwe-8RiiGO2Midk_5RZNO4PlErZAgI8e82Z-A&oe=65893CE1 | person_profile | 0 | Back On Bourbon Street | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412662140_377955598028389_4934817634227117046_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GXVL7VaJCMYAX8xpOls&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQVOnj2yyU3tcTemgxHvli56GGN5ZgZqQNTB4TJhxipw&oe=6587DFB2 | 0 | 3 | Hey folks if you dig blues and roots music, my label <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MCRecordsNY">M.C. Records</a> is having its Holiday sale. 20% off everything in the store including music from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-Wilson/112549432094001">Kim Wilson</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joanna-Connor/108355989184515">Joanna Connor</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guy-Davis/108554695835498">Guy Davis</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Odetta/103720689666049">Odetta</a>, Duke Robillard, and many more use HOLIDAY at checkout! Free shipping! <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.mc-records.com%2F&h=AT3-Rn2kIel-7gJmpypvGAasfzzXdRqQY-JO9IVZ_Yz2TTsVL9_D9YyYQ7CBIgOV1xyovdsmQ7nMtCTb0-33IIUMHfTXR31TrBwXdT2hOG6IOb7bmtGgrx9-BXHwQ7g0w75zqhOW2XVl0SOVWxWaBweJcMtk8w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://shop.mc-records.com/</a> | Back On Bourbon Street | 234 | https://facebook.com/backonbourbonstreet | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56589 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 12:35 PM | 1703105782 | 1746639305 | 65 | 900921421035709 | 1 | 3.6430958957573E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201716012860115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140483 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406059743_1013783253399937_8405621616624694896_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=05mc9CDlBEAAX8vXzqq&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAHzCxNyap6KjkNx2S5qw3hPvDLZTAltB-TM56YfrezEQ&oe=6587AAC7 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406050185_312401661690820_1471007349290503434_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HwlEYWRjnSwAX_Rr57s&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD8_fevmY7DPidBqLA5Ht8tb4A2D526a8KHEOhP2V8y3Q&oe=658855EF | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56296 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 2:39 PM | 1703105778 | 1746646768 | 65 | 1531387154100396 | 1 | 6.9077052326547E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458939680691 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856480 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406756242_355281147094651_4526639798125937834_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PNxobcPRVYIAX8G7Ff5&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCFFuzNrSPBvmySEtFJH7iOLMY0p2KmOF5sG3NQ_6fiLw&oe=65883525 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406808711_885610203194149_3376425804537818167_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5UUsn0erghQAX_WB82Q&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAlIUcc1dvxaDJ-CQRNkXuFWG51NtSGR9d6wFfSyW_TXA&oe=65875433 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55347 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970817 | 65 | 2074049489618005 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX9cwQWs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCC05FTWn1zLnUezV4SXE5rPEtweCSXAPbbSzNDzu5DtA&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56633 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105782 | 1722970818 | 65 | 1544907012715987 | 1.3711089701987E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690726710115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055912 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405136004_674274214844252_2698739126201228683_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hQFmTVqXgBUAX9PBhxC&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAe9jWy_Vwrpax0OlL_RmgOj-0cU8-2ZirGDirckiWz2Q&oe=65875563 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405148324_1077860479884386_6983606186734664649_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=emmNChTh4WYAX-8_UT0&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnWOZvTDCa9otW7M8vbidqHlnuqBfxHvaIQKcEOl_nww&oe=65878713 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56973 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/22/24, 2:25 PM | 1703105786 | 1734899117 | 65 | 1374122303478982 | 5 | 3.3582069914797E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779071030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678105 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404281049_663826785738975_691301604766854849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ykNp0-Tw4SgAX8Dv-y5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2ucR6dCQhxW8Vu-juxQ-u2AB3SVPDgNBu_keQHC6aqg&oe=6588FE11 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56167 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/13/25, 9:37 PM | 1703105777 | 1741919825 | 65 | 917627333033959 | 2 | 1.1676279239319E+15 | 1703059200 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 102876439766516 | 0 | Couples Resorts | 6521065371406 | couples.com | Book now | NONE | carousel | Couples Resorts | https://couples.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Leisure+Remarketing+Social+Feed&utm_content=Testimonial-Feed | 1702049705 | 1.0287643976652E+14 | Couples Resorts | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409530427_1293881561324427_1748911306233055927_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D_a6zhclw7AAX_mzb2y&_nc_oc=AQkE8IEE3eOyecksEcqZie5APX7XiHl_FSn1R4e6QFbReoGefAhgH_8ITGVG0njFWblSJuIGyil3Nc_abJaePSk6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBJmN8Iy1Ds7gj4iWyqRFeWYgnROAL97w1Jw3fU3wwNcw&oe=6587B915 | person_profile | 0 | Couples Resorts Jamaica | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407777243_1300845337281718_3104392917863440201_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f90fg4LHGZEAX-mWMo1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgNGLwgpvNzTs31DtEoEjXzLZ4UvRrYprCmCogrgJ3-Q&oe=65888480 | 0 | 3 | Four idyllic locations in Jamaica, where every stay inspires your story. | Couples Resorts | 491583 | https://facebook.com/couplesresorts | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55883 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970818 | 65 | 361093846520580 | 2 | 3.1705299448223E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 160518903982338 | 0 | TV Girl | 6501561172289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10 - 12 | Utah State Fairpark | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702429505 | 1.6051890398234E+14 | TV Girl | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409171184_367856889099448_1595351965290550423_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-gZWZAWviEgAX9mRhCl&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA0h_eWL6b9e-61eN1B9_NtATDKpbejN4580-7AnZxdbQ&oe=658837D5 | person_profile | 0 | TV Girl | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409159690_1304054070350636_6794162854656212710_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_ZO3-uhGskcAX_LMR4C&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDEYUZqCEUpW2hxyYwN064CQPDoB0iAxSx6T40QYr9R3g&oe=65875C9F | 0 | 3 | TV Girl | 47719 | https://facebook.com/tvgirlz | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56400 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/25/25, 7:06 AM | 1703105780 | 1737788760 | 65 | 714772327259588 | 1 | 2.0558228925989E+14 | 1701763200 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100657559348907 | 0 | livlivesinlondon | 120201616029190521 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/livlivesinlondon | 1701616599 | 1.0065755934891E+14 | livlivesinlondon | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/407430860_700778761788399_1442549046260986283_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=tlRknkeWJQEAX9wVweH&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAQnq9aAdgIR7lxNxgAfs0MWN_HTq87D82LD3Vr7NigrQ&oe=6587F43F | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Olivia | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407908443_867245848238061_8442283422383458226_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MWNZetbq93IAX-5wOz2&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAFr6ppiQNCfl5OjftdH7ScO4hryD4eZqGC8rhyxh-olg&oe=6587FB2E | 0 | 3 | Narrowing it down to a Top 5…these Arts & Culture treasures, new and old, have made a memorable mark on me this month 🎬📚🎶🎭 | livlivesinlondon | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/livlivesinlondon | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56102 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/22/25, 1:28 PM | 1703105776 | 1747938536 | 65 | 907924754032954 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259663350476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180802 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408791251_2736200059888815_5772178508764361801_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=V4oZrttpfn8AX_TNwYA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfTkEYEi3d7AYW5aZUB7m_tRcH-j8dPb_ubAfrhljKjA&oe=65878A58 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408757896_650677013887662_3320666601842193438_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BlyYiJT_vJsAX_tV7Rn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCyr2g5M6ejg8lvmQ6wUQL6fAOqKZdgvceVy1PXLoPSgQ&oe=658860AE | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55778 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/5/25, 4:27 PM | 1703105773 | 1741213669 | 65 | 1608386739969755 | 5.2879826379927E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548031009 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410089784_1139022263735320_5296897664052275987_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4Al-xZoNL3IAX8Ql3Mb&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfAUHV1uF_a9_VYqnSewueh2QXwuZngv7KTc6FbWkf5oxw&oe=6587CA52 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410145919_317226854474554_490698248447136510_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XoHMi4OH__4AX8Ldk28&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCOaUodWIiaP2d0N9_C_jWd5qx2nValG1CP-bCa7OFFOQ&oe=6587F05C | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55874 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105774 | 1722970818 | 65 | 2101997870134835 | 1 | 8.8618922637631E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434459590465 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447459 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409741901_349654524341453_90548064487241140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wgdV0ZCNOZwAX-Uju0m&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOTdM_ofnWlriSl6XLy8sZAFQ1qkK0L3hcfKbM0SSJCQ&oe=65878925 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409702692_1395074371411193_8309966359437575993_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aVLOGFBWA2YAX8-8eAy&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBxxbDglZXkxlPhWwOY4gIWB22KvNHwCKeX7lSQhS3IVQ&oe=6587DF20 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56660 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/22/25, 2:39 PM | 1703105783 | 1747942765 | 65 | 1749341645478699 | 1 | 5.8666923024781E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281121220596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068460 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404750737_987750245631107_5039982187496491856_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zOBkdtYoGfcAX9diAoo&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBp0Y3_1rHluQWhd2DX6PHHxk2Ksm2B5CUDaC8VaQ5SoQ&oe=65885E6A | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404639873_760755195869083_3856412743425978415_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sf7TIFlq5VQAX97e2yp&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDuhK_NgTCj6Li6IKCht-Am5W30tnwV7iLEWdbGNCbg3A&oe=6587BAEA | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56915 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/22/25, 3:28 PM | 1703105785 | 1747945693 | 65 | 381995397512827 | 5 | 1.4784743894358E+15 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721418430167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679704 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404571232_367729272457304_8979649860983857110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CIzFRI5dzqcAX9UjY1P&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCFhLYo8Dk3UKxkCKfKFudZsWKuuFCkiGdNcYQML4760Q&oe=6588BF33 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55777 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/5/25, 4:37 PM | 1703105773 | 1741214251 | 65 | 1348523879114939 | 5 | 5.2879826379927E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548019809 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494395 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409353915_916265693420524_7246965454767274992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=luYP7xJK5o4AX-HWC8D&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfB9D7mPpJeB3CfZUkUqNPg_Hg6Wpm-RJ4CcdwA3vtpEsg&oe=65891759 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409209586_6829873993800555_4963018457679990072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_tVrYvDoZ_oAX-eEG_p&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfDq-mqW46RxcX7a9j4QBpmc6fFR4pvgpQIJuNRdfn7fkQ&oe=658889AD | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56628 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/28/24, 2:24 AM | 1703105782 | 1724829876 | 65 | 358707500024489 | 1 | 7.7876409093087E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281101750596 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068208 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405684230_366512065780511_8249842672910695507_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t7Zg2oD8-mwAX8zB1cj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6G6jcgwkW-1yrmWE5S1qJFZaPbB_sfuc47LRRB91RwQ&oe=6588502E | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405663931_309729045268469_772165756148184279_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gkPw4WHNJZcAX9W1oJL&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAyvS8tzzv-2M6tUMrQeBvVpZL-LtUkyg4x7WzHTEc2WA&oe=65875146 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56534 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105781 | 1722970819 | 65 | 1046593879823445 | 2 | 8.9522265533488E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 135302253194628 | 0 | KILZ | 120201317470850781 | WWW.KILZ.COM/MAGNOLIA | Learn more | NONE | image | Premium by Design | Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Paint | https://www.kilz.com/magnolia/paint/premium-interior | 1700590801 | 1.3530225319463E+14 | KILZ | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404575267_3729984277288417_4800805113849457619_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BQTs33wTkJ0AX9rW-Tu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAdtfvcCOKga6jjrks1aA4m4-4ZHeu8ffnxKt7ohQGPNg&oe=65885D00 | person_profile | 0 | KILZ® | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404888469_863760288729172_8912184072358941467_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u9fEPhFNhusAX--0qWE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD5uoM9BIyCjIW_EE1qpsoOpXkLUMMBacyLhWV4SVP8NA&oe=658777D3 | 0 | 3 | Timeless, classic design in a 100% acrylic formula that dries to the touch in 1 hour, available in 150 colors. | KILZ | 76515 | https://facebook.com/KILZBrand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55539 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/6/25, 6:58 AM | 1703105771 | 1741265928 | 65 | 757187679570722 | 1 | 8.918840789044E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 296295018082 | 0 | AARP en Español | 6524869508308 | NONE | video | 1702660919 | 296295018082 | AARP en Español | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409211664_244040151892958_3931504826583125537_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t85wlR7bw6cAX9mofHr&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBtRer6cn5a6AqwRi9ObiTz9U2H58KGdDhnB9S7f_Qgtg&oe=65876CA1 | person_profile | 0 | AARP en Español | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409808258_1250195123039286_7597018819254247020_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YfYMnkHuGzEAX8oCviS&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAH_OjQAYLjfXstgS97VUK82BuDQlMQ3j9vwBZIIMMUGw&oe=6588E370 | 0 | 3 | Join Je’Wana and her daughters as they dish out their 10-cheese mac and cheese secret, a family treasure. 🧀 | AARP en Español | 113591 | https://facebook.com/AARPenEspanol | 0 | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56287 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 5:03 PM | 1703105778 | 1746655417 | 65 | 736477894516631 | 1.0403142506366E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543260010910 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899281 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407751664_316800727824370_3595161323024488406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhTeLQoqys8AX8Eot4j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAN8yF9jCmV1jPQ5FETb8QcaUEv0oPSSj44rxltZRs4Mg&oe=6587B81E | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407729154_1076078993578594_4458016109668995077_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BOj6OmLu2IsAX8ZXvcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5eGSFicPLrjbRQLW9_8jEJpCVqSESjM0NqJkXrXMGEQ&oe=6587613F | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55594 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 11:02 AM | 1703105771 | 1729267338 | 65 | 293952963635788 | 1 | 3.6826628893931E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203924309230613 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/3bw5npofyz0yjotryds4lqbb?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702631650 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411177988_3782541765403162_1127089982747718774_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IlRnd2gnIYMAX8lAeoA&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAia8mZX4kPeVsCUlxzcASR-eyUfwLHnDW-I_VUHhj_mg&oe=65887C9B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!" | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55340 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 6:28 AM | 1703105769 | 1742383691 | 65 | 889649576234154 | 1 | 4.3461078240709E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102484635907707 | 0 | Smile and Wave | 120203394030540760 | excellenttown.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://excellenttown.com/the-biggest-unsolved-mysteries-in-2023-is/ | 1702966312 | 1.0248463590771E+14 | Smile and Wave | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412337692_266848513064513_5508802384254326149_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X408UaJ3WLoAX_Y7sx8&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD251RsWmi8Cjb2Q-9lFMK7JMZVXTI-32lqa6Rl3QGLOg&oe=65890DAE | person_profile | 0 | Excellent Town | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412312142_740428384226424_2770730256790235632_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3xT0id775AYAX-WmLfo&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCfYp9D3C7notW-5zEgQjlVijHu5w-haqUdErGbJNDEFw&oe=65875836 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Smile and Wave | 468 | https://facebook.com/100084243381938 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56017 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 7:13 AM | 1703105776 | 1742386395 | 65 | 1310917342954265 | 5.910962964769E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216182270123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310322 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409901703_868595004907564_5133046257370520780_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SeiPi0mgFDIAX9w_7l5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB6qRk_K821pxPrJJ_P9LZSBMV4y2o6HnrMCsVGpFs4Fw&oe=65875A0E | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410508283_379537051139343_2708033592393721955_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WZIIgIRXwaYAX9H3Baa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpr41nm-C9exdm6MLvhs8EUlGlQ-z38NwsmnO7jRqO5w&oe=6587EC4C | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55475 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/2/25, 8:07 AM | 1703105770 | 1740924431 | 65 | 1589254344942052 | 1 | 1.0477954864948E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6533571624896 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702838106 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411120324_263878146703338_4790220783097139772_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oLI7nGLMXvEAX-h_7uw&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDd1hwXMZvMyz6AHWzfwvwjQheiVU0anoQVyVDt7rMvA&oe=65877515 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411235206_1612042636292257_906803223928536123_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ruPRYd72qSgAX9wQ3eZ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAbgiRUCrG837essi3MCWfsY8Zk1Ky7n-ydsZpnx-6ltQ&oe=6588C229 | 0 | 3 | Baby boy in bloom 🤍📸#motherhood #maternity #maternityphotography #session #outdoor #photographer ##sandiegophotographer #lovewhatido #passion #photographerwithpassion #bestsandiegophotographer #maternitysandiegophotographer | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56163 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/18/25, 7:49 AM | 1703105777 | 1737208177 | 65 | 348360551145769 | 3.6017906668063E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104004358796647 | 0 | IMIND Mental Health | 120200829818390224 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Will Insurance Cover TMS Depression Therapy? | http://fb.me/ | 1699645327 | 1.0400435879665E+14 | IMIND Mental Health | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399643979_1210702000319142_3153167803278352692_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=djwFbbwGSJgAX-FigeB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBBGiL8mPdqDUcVGo5dKQelSAq972D4gXNhmPdFVXIztg&oe=658845A2 | person_profile | 0 | iMind Mental Health Solutions | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399591025_919498286558153_1445601391316220668_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_rDDe54xnMoAX8LKc0R&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVhkC3S5CjiNHVOuNPUDefutFcA3Usm_t0zPgwuata4Q&oe=658929C6 | 0 | 3 | Many depression sufferers have tried everything. <br /> <br /> They've tried anti-depressants...sometimes 3 or 4 different kinds.<br /> <br /> They've tried traditional "talk" counseling.<br /> <br /> They've tried following mental health advice.<br /> <br /> They’ve listened to their friends and family tell them to “just choose to be happy”.<br /> <br /> But for many people suffering from depression, none of the above have truly helped them find lasting relief.<br /> <br /> Until now.<br /> <br /> A new form of treatment known as Brainsway TMS Therapy has been clinically proven to be effective at treating depression at its source.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy uses magnetic-stimulation to reach the part of the brain that controls whether a person feels happy or sad.<br /> <br /> In fact, Brainsway TMS Therapy has been proven to be effective for patients who didn't respond to traditional depression treatments.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS therapy can potentially help depression sufferers get off their antidepressants, which is a major plus for many patients.<br /> <br /> Brainsway TMS Therapy is:<br /> <br /> ☑️ Safe<br /> ☑️ FDA-approved<br /> ☑️ Medication-free<br /> ☑️ Covered by most insurances<br /> ☑️ No systemic side effects<br /> <br /> Thinking Brainsway TMS Therapy may be the right choice? And want more information? <br /> <br /> Here’s what to do:<br /> <br /> Click "Learn More" below<br /> Fill out the form (30 seconds)<br /> Schedule a free phone consultation.<br /> <br /> Talk soon!<br /> <br /> Dr. JoAnna VanVleet, D.O., D.F.A.P.A.<br /> iMind Mental<br /> Port St. Lucie, FL<br /> <br /> For faster service, call (877) 355-8780 | IMIND Mental Health | 219 | https://facebook.com/iMindMentalHealth | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55788 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/26/25, 3:11 PM | 1703105773 | 1737904260 | 65 | 313351484998259 | 1 | 1.6583767913514E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104682145044102 | 0 | Lena Hendrix Author | 23858292338870253 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Small Town, Brother's Best Friend Romance! | Start reading now... | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091V6X69L | 1693841499 | 1.046821450441E+14 | Lena Hendrix Author | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/374460364_3477532835821683_8444012110018758018_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MSiW212cCP0AX9PLib6&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfAiAXuPJLmJbNSJijHvy7kluQTjhjmqoMDHW6977k_gUA&oe=658830C0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | I never thought I’d find her. After eight years in the Marines, I’m still looking for the mysterious woman I’ve obsessed over since her first letter. When she shows up in my small town, I’m thrilled.<br /> <br /> But when she turns out to be my brother’s best friend--and the girl he’s always loved--I’m caught between the two people who matter to me the most.<br /> <br /> I’m a Marine, which means honor and duty run deep. Joanna is off-limits. That would be a whole lot easier if she hadn’t already agreed to help run my brother’s fishing guide business for the summer, forcing me to work side-by-side with the woman I’ve fantasized about for years.<br /> <br /> I try to keep her at a distance, push her away, man up. But she draws me in without even trying, and I can’t get enough of how she makes me feel. I’m stealing moments with her, and I know it’s wrong. She may not be my brother’s girlfriend, but I know a landmine when I see one.<br /> <br /> FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3Z2D9ao&h=AT1pVUIN8pToOeR-C66AJ4AYgThmHgvWC-eZChz7zq5pNoPV2ePdlAvSRO9IbTOtYuYb0DKYlauz7vftnOewPft5AoqizBZhi2Z580mzcIk8sGutbbgFTirmP0TaA0cyzUn7Hjyx9zLqDOd8vXmpuJB9eMA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3Z2D9ao</a> | Lena Hendrix Author | 946 | https://facebook.com/lenahendrixwrites | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56345 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/17/24, 12:52 PM | 1703105779 | 1723917169 | 65 | 802719534940305 | 2 | 3.5706944564777E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120201092022740773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701754431 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406401317_1350409692509897_331776278601623537_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3HQIVmGaLDkAX-Rb0rA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA87rLL86iDqs900n3L24t4Zln2-njV9MTJesZDnBzxzw&oe=6588677F | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406384830_369547825469949_6521802724901743099_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ksaH3BIyhzYAX-LGLfc&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-izgf-AygtuO85AHVWJYv-lezEfIigkYD3YMSgtYxYg&oe=6587E841 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55998 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/19/24, 4:23 AM | 1703105775 | 1734603825 | 65 | 319371520917313 | 1 | 1.8083430429354E+15 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1724526554225273 | 0 | Domesticated Companion | 120203269905500682 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Chip Gaines Addresses Rumors | Trouble in Chip and Joanna Gaines paradise | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702367733 | 1.7245265542253E+15 | Domesticated Companion | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409974965_390239330095549_1649557504848014790_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JapxOxBdeBgAX9ySBMl&_nc_oc=AQmOKd_hypId0nCp8Ao_fmC-OR3Z4F-22o1XEe8apLH6IXUzo-xD1_4hVBBgOm7_pI0&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfDNzrYEkgj5fbyCrHFd-bIJUGoGJ4Sz5QQoef5DvqBvTQ&oe=658823D9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Domesticated Companion | 37023 | https://facebook.com/DomesticatedCompanion | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55581 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/29/24, 8:48 AM | 1703105771 | 1724939308 | 65 | 914371960123547 | 2 | 1.0595847252931E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011738180506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636913 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411186481_368221909042202_1554773818045291356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7OkJHjAK8kcAX8KWn7y&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFhHT-B8n3kkoBSLdTpjDDm-B83JUSS1i5z11HanL7UA&oe=6588B4CB | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411167913_1072909830406145_6060815276937445531_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qWdogbhLCnIAX-vlO4P&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAje2g3NC2nt-nlIxfWQJo8puAYj-_07mHWehN4uHua1A&oe=65885896 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55876 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 3:21 PM | 1703105774 | 1746822117 | 65 | 3701253076811766 | 1 | 9.0215463458054E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434457220465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447466 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409848477_1492434587995836_1937687375049820425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=869QkDPmgZ4AX9bHKUK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBJp22L42N9te5hCkZyC6Lthf_PlDhICp6QSaHfQJIKdg&oe=65877D89 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409707765_374462511606231_2852715696522558097_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BQtHy1H_ivgAX-3tzzm&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPhVQ3bBxj24ZnS41C-TVaRQLe7yuz_TyjBPLBl9bYdQ&oe=65893517 | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55373 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/4/25, 8:02 AM | 1703105769 | 1749042128 | 65 | 351083714214810 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55616 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 2:03 AM | 1703105771 | 1732003421 | 65 | 340811098587558 | 2 | 9.0161707156751E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205062504610729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702608705 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410125802_877323117436136_3324153490148937438_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A3dudKz0yGwAX85gNQU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD4h3djPK7jMCrFooGzoL0dxnLFGm0ULzoAuVh3WHuxHQ&oe=65889679 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410128975_1035229704246452_863243617863472995_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pr0ZJS0nPf8AX8kZZGd&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnW2f2ZgF4UIxQc7CC_BvO_YmE9zZHuTtsBYl6lJhnVg&oe=6587482F | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55637 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 2:03 AM | 1703105772 | 1732003422 | 65 | 889256896126034 | 1 | 9.0223761428115E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 133697996490926 | 0 | Life's Daily Shortcuts | 120202208925610424 | hacksdetective.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Hacks Detective takes away the mystery for you | https://www.hacksdetective.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702556237 | 1.3369799649093E+14 | Life's Daily Shortcuts | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411195192_6871525499631370_1997038440865574479_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfLBdN8gI2AAX9OM6B9&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCbZE03gx7N8EOmR6lFIsLMrqDPQyroS8kFshZ2p6lLsw&oe=6588CDEE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Life's Daily Shortcuts | 18 | https://facebook.com/61551365124856 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55304 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/26/25, 1:53 PM | 1703105768 | 1737921238 | 65 | 3687803098128527 | 1 | 3.1261524831817E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534146090096 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996758 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412520989_1706571503183981_5498843309893847864_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KSL0808bSzUAX9DMjEu&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBGJbJGqM4_WqEMyoODfOEoqY_70CRbLslXcr5Ow6YhUQ&oe=65875E29 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410548424_764563402167427_5646683694053352556_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3sy3F1mgqCwAX9rEne6&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD3yh0C0KiT5XDcPXkXqo_XCot4hViOXX3Hj_8aFXn9HA&oe=65887B7E | 0 | 3 | Happy 4th annivery what a joyfull addition to your love story💕📸 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56458 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/23/25, 4:21 AM | 1703105780 | 1747992107 | 65 | 1083238359711181 | 1 | 1.0676538275888E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497702270404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357855 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406092081_739220848054206_4866763581353004112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KcEKlkWjy_IAX-H9vHF&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAT-Wb5dST7GwtsZAdywJC6GRy5BalPV9Gz69BI6f1vzA&oe=658763E2 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404832025_238598912407445_617495298096180434_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QOW2ZqJD7MUAX-455Ed&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2nAQtB8H91Ox5tmFPwlAvjyF122SpWGBe0yRqI6mB3A&oe=6587F23E | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56712 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/26/25, 11:55 PM | 1703105783 | 1737957358 | 65 | 356552133617945 | 1 | 1.7451265534206E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104032362672695 | 0 | CMG DailyStuff US | 23862140087580046 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1700975049 | 1.040323626727E+14 | CMG DailyStuff US | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406115657_1077765903242556_3994506608275021665_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lEceG2VGDHwAX-0MnrM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCqptznnZyI5IWNRk8SOL3ktUPFv8FyCklKI7GlOFVtWA&oe=65883E4F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG DailyStuff US | 87 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailystuff.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56700 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 8:33 AM | 1703105783 | 1745847229 | 65 | 898166848547238 | 2 | 6.6594709219474E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674075080115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969851 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403634227_728301212513110_610028403737688396_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HQBTy68ZWJUAX9dvXic&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9ObcRkSsWeo8xIffiD8OtwTpy2kVT7LHPyIbSIW9miA&oe=65888F22 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403682215_382076917490259_4941083871107511859_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U8v5wr6yeycAX_8C5E-&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB06771ASueuSQj3OW4yPB5H5wlQ1IHB4kjX-h5q7he1Q&oe=658904E1 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55426 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970820 | 65 | 1080744126443828 | 1 | 3.2101489410902E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112270775184000 | 0 | Though Facts | 120202923301740549 | foodisinthehouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence In Front of The World | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://foodisinthehouse.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-be/?utm_source=facebook-be&utm_campaign=be-us-a-fih-fixupen-rahul-c1-a5-v1&pixel_value=0.05 | 1702900894 | 1.12270775184E+14 | Though Facts | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412353879_869977854621145_5698470540694732490_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=03c6mFFL1xoAX-WT_6L&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhrguok16ia24Eg-DbEhhBUW9T7lJ00AljIf2MSbk2SQ&oe=65885705 | person_profile | 0 | Though Facts | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411258347_284196627515771_4768706919888828726_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F7QcdLCwP9EAX8VncPz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBwbVZ-bhlJitmfntahEtaiEXhiDj23x0w6OnbAyQ4LUg&oe=65874789 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Though Facts | 33 | https://facebook.com/100091906072208 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55730 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 4:23 PM | 1703105772 | 1729286628 | 65 | 1021009908994634 | 1 | 2.6032513696444E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104926531949545 | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | 6502810159042 | Send message | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Jestem zainteresowana. Czy mog\u0119 prosi\u0107 o wi\u0119cej informacji?","response":""},{"title":"Czy mo\u017cemy porozmawia\u0107 na czacie?","response":""},{"title":"Czy mog\u0119 uzyska\u0107 wi\u0119cej informacji o do\u015bwiadczeniu?","response":""}],"text":"Witaj, {{user_first_name}}! Poinformuj nas, jak mo\u017cemy Ci pom\u00f3c."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 1702518482 | 1.0492653194954E+14 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410737825_1131227044736030_6274614619977290085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ALOTusZDSakAX8kwn4i&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfANApGJKHYdrWBwOdkARWKIAva9tk-Q7caDSOgBz6-uXw&oe=6588B6B3 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Stanecka | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410655317_887349183040074_1512327176526816810_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i7j4HXDxr7kAX-yhOyQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDnp5XaUkE9OO3epry35qRl7ACo34NW99V3Z8Ueo_NFuQ&oe=6588565C | 0 | 3 | Dietrich & Osiecka & Krebs & Stanecka go to America. <br /> <br /> 24 Sep - Chopin Theatre Chicago<br /> 29 Sep - Polish Slavic Center NYC<br /> 6 Oct - Art Gallery Kafe Chicago<br /> <br /> Vocal- Joanna Stanecka<br /> Guitar/ Arrangement -Zibby Krebs<br /> <br /> Video - Patrick Praschma<br /> Polish Slavic Federal Credit Union YourActor | Joanna Stanecka | 1116 | https://facebook.com/joannaratingen | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56066 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 7:12 PM | 1703105776 | 1746663133 | 65 | 1406160186775644 | 3.3376776531968E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204870518510427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702210271 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409442181_836549865152176_7428728961072717726_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6GMw15PeThUAX9TnfAk&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJR0QuNyyvsAjGE7Tk11OZpK6zrjdwP3dHkZVgT3xwAg&oe=6587D649 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406491889_1801835350254273_5878368394895663714_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dSEPwVvRmBAAX8AXc7J&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDRylrG9ZRYyeE74kr0IxCprHU8zXhYGlLs447y4vlBIg&oe=658798A5 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55854 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 7:30 PM | 1703105774 | 1746664226 | 65 | 251792271033284 | 1 | 1.2833082056642E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220179900670 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449364 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410156980_1422950644963858_6338414394463622060_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6mdWOz6U-okAX_S7sKH&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAu-iyYYP69sgR16k2EDB_0Z-hj1AzyPGuvmMlMdTfllw&oe=6588793A | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410835618_6800945969960612_324757981267390950_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ZeBKk3O9pkAX8E0rqr&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClR2RUZK1IUFmd3AU0t7PhDTkZKOkcRDY0OpP3YVn9mg&oe=65891BC2 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56541 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 9:29 AM | 1703105781 | 1745850555 | 65 | 189913024116886 | 1.9964064007525E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6509688940710 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701210919 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406061375_707103791127427_4445371914664788707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RKoQWZzdZMgAX_j3cpe&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCtftanNRczWwGsXeaktxjbxU0BEkchjggLtnzvisC4Rw&oe=65892548 | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406069874_738941334807033_5724441553933111689_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l8fZfV4KQmwAX_6BUhk&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfArfgaAWZrqmVleY2BGKuTYzekDXg_Srb8_iKUbuwdHqw&oe=6587D8CD | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56547 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 1:34 PM | 1703105781 | 1734982465 | 65 | 355921023782706 | 1 | 1.2957498577936E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201210414630123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701171824 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405937634_665334975781973_7939895341291945837_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=28CLkl2G7OAAX-5vvd-&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC21EboamyItZ-hMS3arhXZ6jHsOdJouTZotu5TdBQF3Q&oe=6587B875 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406208709_3459762884353808_8280560599468884034_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=suMLZNGI9WUAX_K5uH8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCuauskSF7QKXT0cEj0zSzLCOcPG9OaYUQ9rwz82u0lxg&oe=6588BCFD | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56290 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 2:31 PM | 1703105778 | 1734985863 | 65 | 1044617856754875 | 1 | 5.3034636231893E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 373307873320439 | 0 | Xaritini Gkogka | 120203405390460750 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/hari.tinys.book_corner | 1701889794 | 3.7330787332044E+14 | Xaritini Gkogka | person_profile | 0 | Haritini Gkogka | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408117697_897911658071380_6278766541507306039_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=duDL3BlPln0AX9OxEoY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDRumBaMflizqBZUvEYQm1tsyH2U9ZPQITsaxmCJCpJXw&oe=658809DF | 0 | 3 | ♥𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼 𝓿𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼♥<br /> <br /> 𝘋𝘢𝘺 4 𝘰𝘧 #bookfriendsbookmas 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 😍 𝘵𝘩𝘦 #candycane 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬 ❤️🤍<br /> <br /> 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘣𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨!<br /> <br /> 𝘈𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦? 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘱!<br /> <br /> 𝘘𝘖𝘛𝘋: 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 2023?<br /> <br /> 🏷 <br /> #bookrecommendations #bookstack #bookpile #booklover #booklife #books #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookworm #christmasbooks #booksofinstagram #booksonbooks #booklove #bookaholic #booknerd #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #ilovebooks #bookaddict #ilovereading #bookaesthetic #bookcommunity #bookphoto #bookphotography #christmas #christmasmood #christmasvibes #christmasdecor | Xaritini Gkogka | 0 | https://facebook.com/100070897654716 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55632 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:02 PM | 1703105772 | 1723748545 | 65 | 744468907588760 | 1 | 1.0599122051444E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120202186367210218 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/03ncalhtwf43osqtpog3bjmg?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702624406 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411136996_313884338283736_428355450611539072_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CQgBwdnbOhgAX8XuD7J&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLsrYlGXcg7qzyH4q6Y4nzAg2upXrY6AsdE45g8s-iYg&oe=65890BCF | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409855273_779816950619869_7055233886624663211_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ZM6Hl26UqAAX9E1zv_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmoytjIQZ1pPB36GhOyq3sGG4AuYDqqC-HGzEROljuxQ&oe=6587FADB | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55614 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/14/24, 1:09 AM | 1703105771 | 1723615752 | 65 | 330125556535286 | 2 | 1.5846127886106E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205062527020729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702608742 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411313212_867264811855810_1850590441141240379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X3_VqY3g1v0AX-L_ef4&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAssyVy3uYJsBSQ1XRU3T8U31TCoNDPQhQ8c1w0f0GuDA&oe=65882761 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411171394_608784084670129_6080402022244365530_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yv72DlzhOoUAX8wLRhp&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPlPSS_0p3BcPADyjWpTIkvFPgfVLhuZI7VS3goYixlQ&oe=6588AB7A | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55435 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1722970821 | 65 | 1856453271440072 | 4 | 2.5441264411326E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108401345691237 | 0 | JoyReels | 120204071181520210 | api.joyreels.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Love Born From A Contract | https://api.joyreels.com/app/publicity-links/739?channel=facebook&ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702896368 | 1.0840134569124E+14 | JoyReels | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411273738_320736467545897_8194628322279298398_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sog3mDkG2MwAX9FcLSw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB70fSx-NHZ_gMRXNRKPF509QUkpEebggyJUdWN5mXeGQ&oe=658856F4 | person_profile | 0 | JoyReels | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411227159_742223084424168_4168186658199050336_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6P3wTIAwmc8AX9e6muz&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBU0v0RVFlKJOLIpRtMYGhj5Y1V_i3Vtxe901ima0E6-w&oe=6587C311 | 0 | 3 | Please don't stop! She begs as I crawl on top of her. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively and I could feel a strong heat between my legs... I'm about to lose it...<br /> -------------------------------------------<br /> It's really good, I couldn't stop watching it in one sitting, it's worth watching many times!Love Born From A Contract | JoyReels | 81 | https://facebook.com/61550637441013 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56787 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970821 | 65 | 332730472829301 | 1 | 1.7488355522583E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201123544020123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700827912 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405734814_373732191755012_8639554994629742594_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jKh4x6vWfjwAX_J6SuU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDoqiG73q28bgN426Lw2MsrH_cLLM1hGrAYjwNbPZmx5g&oe=65874D43 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405769262_725930196070895_868030094597353159_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lpfK8H-GyJ8AX9J_fiw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBDKZLFq0uz6uj5AuqGJjCu0Xbof2mi0Vv6lj1lAKX85w&oe=658895CC | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55231 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105768 | 1722970821 | 65 | 791547432730213 | 1 | 2.0918993544803E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 505582332845919 | 0 | Joanna Galant Photography | 120202629834870378 | www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | Get offer | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | 1703024883 | 5.0558233284592E+14 | Joanna Galant Photography | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412415246_1091779615605445_3928528659813906382_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Tl08zEVBjrYAX-trPuw&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfApKPkcSfxJ_c-pMMUrZaG0Zm_jI-nJ1kgt8Pd-NK7wEA&oe=6588122F | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Galant | Family and Kids Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412437994_6857031617727234_6732468334132039390_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=un4FykJpfwYAX8WNl9F&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBV8-NiQtyiqk-ixxCuj4SqZBYu0nkpTpRh_QMwObHIYA&oe=65880168 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Galant Photography | 6758 | https://facebook.com/joannagalantphotography | 0 | GET_OFFER | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56380 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970822 | 65 | 384967577292013 | 2.8484499086294E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100416769039566 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 120202284846580275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666336 | 1.0041676903957E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407702607_3583903085272169_361772654523461223_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pOYoOQt7XBIAX9awX1n&_nc_oc=AQkDKQ8cXJr0iWcNF0loccyKTAd3wQouWEIp0BTnQKGZ_BKqgZ9UIFln_ow-e9y-DG4&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAYqKLGpRTNJc5mDzXxC9BBueqs44AH0l2BvfMIEpXh-Q&oe=6588D6E9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Lifestyle A2Z Español | 5454 | https://facebook.com/lifestylea2z.spanish | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55552 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 5:58 AM | 1703105771 | 1743245933 | 65 | 682590420092543 | 1 | 1.575369759631E+15 | 1694502000 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23854500378690562 | https://projektbogini.com.pl/ | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔴 W 30 dni żmień odbicie w lustrze | ON Twoim Lustrem WYJDŹ Z OTCHŁANI NIEPEWNOŚCI, SMUTKU, TĘSKNOTY, NIESPEŁNIENIA W NIERÓWNEJ RELACJI I STAŃ SIĘ JEDYNĄ, NAJWAŻNIEJSZĄ Dzięki ZASTOSOWANIU ZASADY LUSTRA w relacji z nim ♦ Czy JEGO zachowania i cechy są dla Ciebie bolesne? ♦ Wywołują smutek, lęk, a nawet rozpacz?♦ S... | https://projektbogini.com.pl/ | 1683106482 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/344752308_796548268469130_6514664008440259150_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y9u7yYBHxvkAX9HOrE4&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCYtc4DymYRFBSPXGnv-KhC553EA2LGGzWHttikGL8gxw&oe=658858CD | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🔴On Twoim lustrem, kiedy…<br /> <br /> On, kiedy Ty dajesz za dużo.<br /> W lustrze pokazuje, czego masz się nauczyć brać? Co sobie masz dać?<br /> #<br /> <br /> On, kiedy stawia Cię na ostatnim miejscu, nie podejmuje decyzji.<br /> <br /> W lustrze pokazuje Ci, gdzie Ty sama siebie stawiasz daleko? Gdzie masz postawić siebie jako priorytet?<br /> <br /> #<br /> On kiedy nie potrafi się określić co dalej.<br /> <br /> W lustrze pokazuje Ci, co Ty masz określić w sobie, jak siebie sama nieświadomie określasz.<br /> <br /> #<br /> On kiedy jest „chłopcem”, nieodpowiedzialny, niezdecydowany, sam nie wie czego chce. <br /> <br /> W lustrze pokazuje Ci, że Ty też jesteś dziewczynką w pewnych aspektach, a w innych zachowujesz się jak matka. <br /> <br /> 🔴<br /> Zmień odbicie w lustrze.<br /> Odbierz 1 lekcję ON TWOIM LUSTREM<br /> Tutaj<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.com.pl%2F&h=AT36tmGm7_Hb8xPo3kAmXMRwbHr1OzW-fCELBWxxh2iXFmXrMQ831Xn5_w6I_xQBcxytPR3EFaXx3m2Nv4ZneYJe4XlS3qAIq43Zogisnd0NvveoTwyVozfl9fEwuatDUsCdHVhumXerID6MpZdLeA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.com.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56577 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/14/25, 5:23 AM | 1703105782 | 1741947820 | 65 | 1398917604055119 | 1 | 1.6437802676775E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300663890596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151585 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406311821_647702267573606_8565637444196586234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Bc-e2IWPnEwAX_1qJf-&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBAjbyMHzWWrDewBIiP4lpLhnnto7JgglvuEwZQKEnrHw&oe=65893867 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406332356_1596069624134034_8320930941568460265_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N33JNu0qVNcAX91Xykc&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB7T9u_WfZfNbsefLcfd9xmiV7Lpo6xef60vdtSp76vFg&oe=65885A58 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56811 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105784 | 1722970822 | 65 | 2100146743663052 | 1 | 3.6066820637673E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632013000115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796596 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405522556_681274287443149_1667927256033080689_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j_MyAnc6sYoAX_Ht1Rq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCB2Lmqow57q9rdNodwqheGY7EBQ0O6xxzcjhrzekxEsw&oe=65876AA4 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405498611_246107628236269_4053352566179592021_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K8PcbWDE600AX8pyd-Y&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDIQvPNLd-j8rs1Qerxl_2TWcE43rin9DogG9rmik7atA&oe=658846CC | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56693 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970822 | 65 | 906223427736902 | 1 | 7.3747727174166E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 697572940381116 | 0 | Academy of Energy-Reiki,Kroniki Akaszy,Spiritual Life Coaching | 120202298937500299 | NONE | image | 1700989045 | 6.9757294038112E+14 | Academy of Energy-Reiki,Kroniki Akaszy,Spiritual Life Coaching | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405693346_1000771127887647_5221317754447506169_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5r47k95AUuUAX-uNiVn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCN7VMdVIrSez8sLp5NRbdFHhHRUM8wdqml0bPU58zGDg&oe=65892A7A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | WITAJCIE CUDOWNI 🫶<br /> <br /> "Jest tylko jedna przyczyna ludzkich porażek.<br /> To brak wiary w prawdziwego siebie."<br /> William James<br /> <br /> Każdy z nas, uzdrawiając siebie, przyczynia się do uzdrowienia świata. <br /> A im więcej w nas samoświadomości, współczucia i wewnętrznej równowagi, tym więcej na świecie wiedzy o życiu i zrozumienia dla siebie i innych... <br /> <br /> ☆Dlatego, nie bój się siebie, zacznij poznawać siebie, uzdrawiaj swoje wnętrze i podążaj ku samoświadomości. <br /> ☆Świadomie zdecyduj, że chcesz zaprowadzić spokój i równowagę, wewnątrz i na zewnątrz siebie. <br /> ☆ Rozpoznaj, co nie jest w zgodzie z Tobą I zastanów się, jak możesz to zmienić. <br /> ☆Weź odpowiedzialność za swoje życie, pamiętając, że sam jesteś jego twórcą. <br /> ☆ Zaakceptuj, że nikt nie jest odpowiedzialny za twoje uczucia i reakcje, jak złość, bezsilność, strach itp. To twoje uczucia, stworzone przez Ciebie. <br /> ☆ Pracuj nad rozpoznaniem, dlaczego się pojawiają i jakie przesłania ze sobą niosą. To cenne wskazówki. <br /> ☆Postaraj się wycofać swoje osądy. Uznaj, że druga osoba, przez którą cierpisz, nie mogła zrobić nic innego, jak tylko działać całkowicie nieświadomie. Dokładnie tak, jak każdy z nas w przeszłości. <br /> ☆Wybacz sobie i innym brak świadomości i niemoc w tworzeniu dobra. Zaakceptuj to, co się wydarzyło, jako część swojego życia. <br /> ☆Ufaj sobie i słuchaj swojej intuicji. Twoje zaufanie wesprze Cię w wyborze właściwego kierunku i realizacji planu twojej Duszy. <br /> ☆ Odpuść i pozwól odejść przeszłości, przestań trzymać się na siłę starego. Pozwól swojej Duszy działać i zaufaj, że przyszłość ma ci wiele do zaoferowania! <br /> ☆Akceptuj, wybaczaj i odpuszczaj wszystko. <br /> ☆Jednocześnie oczyszczaj swoje życie i uwalniaj się z sytuacji, które nie pozwalają na odczuwanie wewnętrznej równowagi I prawdziwego szczęścia. <br /> ☆Rozwijaj to, co pomaga Ci wzrastać, wypełnia Cię radością i wewnętrznym spokojem. <br /> ☆Kochaj i akceptuj siebie takim jakim jesteś i uwierz, że świat stoi przed Tobą otworem a Ty zasługujesz na wszystko co najlepsze. <br /> ☆Poczuj wdzięczność za swoje istnienie i radość z obecnej chwili. <br /> ☆Zaufaj bezgranicznie swojemu Boskiemu Ja i uwierz w jego boskie prowadzenie. <br /> ☆Pozbądź się lęku przed życiem, przed stratą, przemijaniem i zmianami w życiu. Przed wszystkim czego do tej pory się bałeś. <br /> ☆Działaj w intencji miłości, nie tylko do innych, ale też do siebie. Ty też jesteś swoim bliźnim, dlatego dbaj o siebie! <br /> ☆Kochaj siebie bezwarunkowo, ale nie wywyższaj się ponad innych.<br /> ☆Poczuj się naprawdę dobrze ze sobą. To podstawa spełnionego życia dla nas wszystkich. <br /> ☆Bądź wdzięczny za wszystko, bo wszystko cię rozwija i uczy, we wszystkim można znaleźć mądrość. ☆Kieruj się prawdą i miłością. <br /> Joanna Sanders❤<br /> CUDOWNEGO DNIA KOCHANI 🫶<br /> Miłość we mnie pozdrawia miłość w Tobie 🥰<br /> ŚCISKAM I ZAPRASZAM<br /> Szkolenia-warsztaty-sesje<br /> ➡<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.academyofenergy-crd.com%2Fp%2Fkursy-szkolenia.html&h=AT2jSxs_eFGVZsQtQkOKR4NWgNAd2nwaU6vyIM1EEY6fcgIHM77C82oynYz4X2-5IbVRR7zNOeWBlbOzYmTKEUJ9naMOmeHgIbvHoLKLEUJNSZvpvR5V6df1BbLMb1ic9PALfWAq2hOdhpBnmD7FUw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.academyofenergy-crd.com/p/kursy-szkolenia.html</a><br /> ➡<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Facademy_of_energy.crd%2F&h=AT15KWEAmCV4BKw2lRYLlcVIq4kARB-Ow39n8Q459fHM8GV6TqLfSC6dUfCfbpFcWo8ztPzn-bH9TpOPtYP00UiKQn4PMWNNWYuZYiHo80RKTjxzTh5ccraGG1WQxduVfeY_O1af0Pwo12ZYEhAkWQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.instagram.com/academy_of_energy.crd/</a><br /> ➡<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AcademyofEnergy.CRD" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/AcademyofEnergy.CRD</a><br /> <br /> Zapraszam również serdecznie na nową grupę dt.<br /> ** ROZWOJU DUCHOWEGO **, każda istota która pragnie się rozwijać duchowo odnajdzie na niej coś dla siebie -od Podróży Szamańskich poprzez Reiki, Kroniki Akaszy ,Numerologię, ThetaHealing, Kosmologię Majów i wiele wiele innych .<br /> Razem tworzymy jedność ,razem możemy wzrastać ,razem tworzymy piękno 🥰<br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/682341140005590/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/groups/682341140005590/</a><br /> <br /> #przekaz #przyszłość #zaufanie #wszechświat #przekaznadziś #słowanadzieńdobry #niedziela #weekend | Academy of Energy-Reiki,Kroniki Akaszy,Spiritual Life Coaching | 4590 | https://facebook.com/AcademyofEnergy.CRD | 0 | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55490 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105770 | 1722970822 | 65 | 1012297576733345 | 2 | 1.3474892694688E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508737640427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806257 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412144100_899385808206112_8633418897088069762_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7LnZ0PMZ4XsAX_Ny48u&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCehK77XHH5HpNVF_g30vGJi_r6G8Yi9S4m8HjBcFSYvw&oe=65888986 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412105157_689833949619471_2370203300031677735_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PYIQGk0AgYgAX-UTwFM&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDNIdmDHInrv7Sc451tzoRq3q8Fsf7S2Rqan1gYjqDXmw&oe=6588A11B | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55290 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/27/25, 3:40 PM | 1703105768 | 1737992400 | 65 | 346592651488866 | 1 | 8.952067186515E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118669005469358 | 0 | Miranda Ronke-Czarniecki VP Western MA Regional Sales Manager | 6497357060576 | openhouse.propertypath.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 77 Champlain Street, Indian Orchard, MA 01151 | Conveniently located with over quarter acre on a double lot this adorable Ranch is available for immediate occupancy! Home is handicap accessible and yet easily removable ramp, Features include hardwood throughout, kitchen with wood cabinets, stove, refrigerator and dinning area. Living room with co... | https://openhouse.propertypath.com/properties/321086 | 1703013664 | 1.1866900546936E+14 | Miranda Ronke-Czarniecki VP Western MA Regional Sales Manager | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411283953_863846558774242_7326259946045505328_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xcyq2rQieRwAX_cafPG&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfACTKw1aIvoYyEcc8VjX072haO8a_DokyAIAEc9dfhJww&oe=65880F2F | person_profile | 0 | Miranda Ronke-Czarniecki | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412255872_725752772519362_3068872981951240404_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=antGGD5G2cUAX_-TB7e&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBITkgesBGhKIYe2IMG74zGvf1G2p59MhYvXSdFnj4mOw&oe=65878026 | 0 | 3 | Conveniently located with over quarter acre on a double lot this adorable Ranch is available for immediate occupancy! Home is handicap accessible and yet easily removable ramp, Features include hardwood throughout, kitchen with wood cabinets, stove, refrigerator and dinning area. Living room with coat closet, fireplace with insert, large window and lots of day light. Main living floor consists of full bathroom and three spacious bedrooms, one with built in dresser and with shelving.<br /> <br /> #listinglauncher<br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AgnelliRealEstate">Teresa & Joanna Skora/Ideal Real Estate Services, Inc.</a><br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fopenhouse.propertypath.com%2Fproperties%2F321086&h=AT33js0i7L-Sgmz9MOJClDzL8OXsHtyMUIfC7qNF12aweZt_YgmbHRiUg64jAcK4xV5j9ch4EDvk56V3-7CvvN0Tv4xtjWmyA2vJCoJtTD5t8ef_cJH2b_pGBsjl7jd0wqZHIkiuOdMuFYGO_8V0c50p_gc" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://openhouse.propertypath.com/properties/321086</a> | Miranda Ronke-Czarniecki VP Western MA Regional Sales Manager | 609 | https://facebook.com/mirandanorcom | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55719 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/5/25, 2:17 AM | 1703105772 | 1749107835 | 65 | 1517687715720110 | 1 | 5.935902262299E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120202077486590218 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/03ncalhtwf43osqtpog3bjmg?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702539989 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411092597_1372010056740039_4945149632688512133_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DPNP8HLfoPcAX_U9HuH&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDHe18qrzY5y4bbFjxEdIKzobp3E654hkQWlyA4eUujyw&oe=658931E7 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409833970_1530359994452863_8494726472649991739_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z6nS4C7HYiAAX8lPsKf&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBxc8XG2ebAo_w0QQ7YasPbplhFpHqkERZYvVSX0LvyLg&oe=6588B329 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56977 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970822 | 65 | 2927441297391145 | 1.0911569485488E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 478297078923452 | 0 | Big Easy Believer | 120201778980400250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677939 | 4.7829707892345E+14 | Big Easy Believer | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402960811_3582056052051476_2480871273265367808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8cuobOvepzoAX8grsCn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBe7wbFz73YJwtUQZTQjpLxQoyy-3klRvN0ertP_iepKA&oe=6588A973 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Big Easy Believer | 1655 | https://facebook.com/BigEasyBeliever | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55412 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 10/18/24, 2:33 PM | 1703105769 | 1729280010 | 65 | 352018747538576 | 1 | 6.8845242983218E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 113395193403506 | 0 | The King Is Coming | 120202478092780257 | Call Now | NONE | video | 1702921999 | 1.1339519340351E+14 | The King Is Coming | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411503763_24388281314148885_7459342159790601756_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BxWyS0O9380AX9Q57_q&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA3NBQNKU7ivz0Jn3m7WEyBTZZIwPj2GIDjyYErQxph1A&oe=6588B508 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Christmas Special<br /> <br /> Virgin Birth | The King Is Coming | 1471 | https://facebook.com/WPMTheKingisComing | 0 | CALL_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56664 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/7/25, 9:25 PM | 1703105783 | 1746671115 | 65 | 2122571101455242 | 1 | 1.7253932346141E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201690719060115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701055871 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405197137_721340756189547_7738916926066625864_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WflDRWhebTsAX9D2gbK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAH2XSix4NwFwkBI7fae-1fxFE3b4Vo7Tc41-wEdIQsxg&oe=6588CCC1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404996762_1188207095471900_7601182738525582442_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=egCCS103YsAAX-ejiZO&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDKAjBhMsKPKEyWFHBzBOf2TrOjlpFEzLJGiKoecdGcnQ&oe=6589007E | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56464 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105780 | 1722970823 | 65 | 347799567846045 | 1 | 1.2821787991052E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 711420849053256 | 0 | Mamut Dentistry | 23861766083710188 | implants.mamutdentistry.com | Learn more | NONE | carousel | Mamut Dentistry | https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey | 1696896131 | 7.1142084905326E+14 | Mamut Dentistry | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387741903_231484352951811_2346666230853265892_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VB1MGEEYqLEAX9O8nc5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPUOZkRyTUTWHdN4pZLSi0usPUD7fqduw7ggu_y_ODjQ&oe=65892C18 | person_profile | 0 | ᴍᴀᴍᴜᴛ ᴅᴇɴᴛɪsᴛʀʏ | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/387835822_1012091040111070_7769729215277135502_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7s3MnOHCo5kAX8p2Ubs&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB2gbrh3l7rJv5jgToay7enzXyR_IuKmMcA6zxu4Ut-oQ&oe=6587C199 | 0 | 3 | 🙏 Greetings, Queens neighbors! Today, we want to share a story that might resonate with many of you - a story of hope, transformation, and the rediscovery of an unshakeable smile. <br /> <br /> 👉 It's the story of a beloved member of our community who faced the challenges of losing some of her teeth due to a life-altering accident. <br /> <br /> Meet Mary, a vibrant soul known for her cheerful disposition. But beneath her radiant exterior, she grappled with the silent struggles that followed her accident. Missing teeth, once a symbol of her infectious smile, left her feeling incomplete. She hesitated to express herself, her favorite dishes became a distant memory, and she had no idea about the gradual weakening of her jawbone.<br /> <br /> One day, while scrolling through her social media feed, Mary stumbled upon a glimmer of hope - dental implants. Could this be the key to regaining her confidence and joy? The thought sparked a fire within her.<br /> <br /> Mary's curiosity led her to explore further. Here's what she discovered:<br /> <br /> ✨ Reclaiming Her Bite: Dental implants provided the strength to bite into her favorite foods with confidence. No more avoiding apples or savoring a juicy steak was off-limits! 🍎🥩<br /> <br /> ✨ A Smile That Felt Real: Mary imagined a smile that looked and felt just like her natural teeth. Dental implants were indistinguishable from real teeth, allowing her to express herself with an authentic grin. 😁<br /> <br /> ✨ Preserving Her Jawbone: Dental implants didn't just replace her missing teeth; they actively preserved her jawbone. No more concerns about changes in facial structure or premature aging! 👵👴<br /> <br /> Mary's story took her to Mamut Dentistry, where she found more than just dental care. She found compassionate partners in her journey. Dr. Jovanka and her team provided guidance, accepted her insurance, and offered flexible payment plans, making her journey even smoother.<br /> <br /> Today, Mary's smile radiates with newfound confidence. Her dental implants feel just like her natural teeth, allowing her to savor the simple joys of life, laugh without restraint, and engage with others authentically. The discomfort and shadows of missing teeth are mere memories.<br /> <br /> Mary's story is a testament to the incredible transformation that dental implants can bring. It's a journey of rediscovering confidence and joy, overcoming silent battles, and embracing hope.<br /> <br /> 📢 Marys smile is just one example of what's possible with dental implants. If you're ready to embark on your transformative journey, take the first step today. Click the link below to fill out a brief questionnaire and secure your spot: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimplants.mamutdentistry.com%2Fsurvey&h=AT1X5OZc7v-M5ndqoYz3Kmp1v5dfrYvcpFykJO3jaJFJzcsk5xNBqZV53r8axaYegAW6PQUWZ8UqDYrjPodNECvDtl9mHKpGgTt15vlDZthlTSQiI2zNIX_XjklwaV-9ed7FrSYpDeCX-g" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://implants.mamutdentistry.com/survey</a> <br /> <br /> 🌟 Let's bring back your confident, radiant smile together! 😄 | Mamut Dentistry | 613 | https://facebook.com/mamutdentistry | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55762 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/9/25, 2:07 PM | 1703105773 | 1744225667 | 65 | 378198814766652 | 4 | 7.013065186452E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548084609 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410639124_663701395967789_1873052319786749195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aSJq2JFpjQAAX_2jYuO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD261WjfW3NbOCmbFUQ5GiV9tODAFiLXJh09rJHnamqKw&oe=65889BE4 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410669833_1592366088174698_3540121230921619589_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W5BCQSH0yygAX_syn3K&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcnhqE23lu22G0vMS_s1v2RYVdAc_PZtD9hlvml2aDNA&oe=6587DD19 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55491 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/10/25, 8:56 AM | 1703105770 | 1749563807 | 65 | 683181837129766 | 1 | 3.459362514781E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508713670427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806524 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410942038_360646669889719_5234982638970409563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W5HqIGDV8xYAX-Jy4z5&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDjT8uayO2EuEdXbtQT4Ghis9t_gxS9PyBCsjlqKuZ1Ww&oe=65888EA5 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410200352_1500762767448729_668597865105286808_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rmd_8fnfCiAAX_e4N5k&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDKTMzqw0ZxszC0dfkam1wPZ5UzOBQNZLv5ayo3P7SpJg&oe=658911E5 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56716 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/6/25, 1:15 AM | 1703105783 | 1736147755 | 65 | 337289455576535 | 2 | 3.6652817912708E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 520171088019503 | 0 | Liforme | 6528911475864 | liforme.com | Shop now | NONE | image | http://liforme.com/ | 1700945724 | 5.201710880195E+14 | Liforme | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405285661_248105778279450_9134938934918258102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OX28ClSw4n0AX_Fd1il&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAwGZXfaDwMZy7wQr3jliuwVkH2sBEdjmGlUL7QQxWWGQ&oe=6587EC34 | person_profile | 0 | Liforme Yoga | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405325826_331879692911189_6724145078767975800_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5VS91vhZp1IAX83VvXo&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCTHljsU31wobA6l7YgX0la7MWRDhvvJmL2v4lzN1_6NA&oe=6589084C | 0 | 3 | 🖤 BLACK FRIDAY SALE continues! 🖤 Catch the best Liforme deals this year with amazing savings on all products! <br /> <br /> Liforme mats are the grippiest, and we’re sticking to that. 💪✨<br /> <br /> Don't let your Yoga practice slip away from you. Deepen your pose and advance your practice safely with our revolutionary GripForMe® top surface. Stays grippy, even when sweaty wet. No towel required!<br /> <br /> Head over to <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FLiforme.com%2F&h=AT2zzfDQ8rhMxt6wW-my34QHl7-ZKC6WJ96tJwm6VCeTp0khuhazBDazXmUJA8vIUb1BnWK_0fqpc8hAJbPO3wH1MW9z2algO6vc9XvsfpBNRKfFxd8roNwqOps3JOMJ6L2N9uYA905d2O6u_dxPDw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">Liforme.com</a> to get our truly transformative Yoga mats for less during our biggest sale event of the year. Everything is on sale including our custom mats featured here! Link in bio! 🔗✨<br /> <br /> Sending our love and thanks to the incredible @facetka_od_jogi pictured here on a Liforme x You Custom Yoga mat. Special thanks to @lekko_store and @Joanna.kepa.foto for the beautiful shot! ❤️🙏<br /> <br /> <br /> #liforme #yoga #yogamat #liveformore #Yogi #yogaeverydamnday #yogapractice #yogainspiration #yogamagic | Liforme | 118723 | https://facebook.com/LiformeYoga | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56984 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970823 | 65 | 1583198315756725 | 5 | 6.8907228669931E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721075470167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678939 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lDpANmVtKC4AX-wrAqk&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBoykZFZocJOqtnK1cMF13_brrxhv9Bad2uY9mH1WHZgA&oe=6587A16B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55835 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 1:36 PM | 1703105773 | 1745865419 | 65 | 1368899747070088 | 1 | 3.6082357094518E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411473910044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458277 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410094569_374130458620508_7818015220364976066_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OV_x9c9A3EAAX9KkvkP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDBk8kwCQdPzgbfJNmpm1Jyqn7Xq8f13ZyCjv8dMvkgWQ&oe=6588692A | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410098724_290806797259128_7398865363187159877_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t5S24GD4214AX99aWt7&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBAHLpalIRlRyYHhhdP4ziy8fDgqREaJa97KW8bYPYpgw&oe=65875D39 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56190 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 2:08 PM | 1703105777 | 1742411291 | 65 | 1008758063517609 | 1 | 6.8749367992927E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672503340427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030323 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408994430_358160219952624_3305097327669218943_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xxTvIF8zDu4AX9sJgrL&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDsFMKD6jby7aSCSoq9nT_YPCtDcKyblSr8bMyshpYghQ&oe=658759C0 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408980029_1281031715926098_5000005326508588826_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SkKI-LYjRz8AX-LOk-a&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfCML1Jfgk3PfxLoAVIZBjJgAAbLk5Uv740XP6SXXuYEJQ&oe=65881987 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56255 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105778 | 1722970824 | 65 | 1394211364786248 | 2 | 7.1937572440191E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997396620476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940882 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407940475_354259353862855_6248711865571783518_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fuvVv-v-hGEAX98e8cR&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRMLPZDt_1Vuw0IrolgVLWFG6PqTBYhHyn0ZuTUIXswA&oe=6588786F | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407984001_343459871734926_5232214555493203941_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6Pfo0Xm3cOwAX-twJkb&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC9UhtpzXCE2Xr0SWyJJUazSkhMulJN72UFzdPu6Jv1Gw&oe=65884526 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56784 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 6:21 PM | 1703105784 | 1734999683 | 65 | 562194879415226 | 1 | 7.1408416729687E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220434870404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582694 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619151_220208624436222_8712625650248831365_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DRotssh8XOcAX8hCZ-3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCyipEEVIVLVM4UDX0ToS8Icp_ImyoZsyygqaqoKMaFXA&oe=658793EA | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403619243_1790302624737320_1170150874133555495_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XU38Zaojh_sAX-e3Y_8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCF0_TbLwQqXZxrUdPcGPFB6k7h7daD0Bn90Vr_yvaPDg&oe=65889EE6 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55799 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/8/24, 2:18 PM | 1703105773 | 1723126699 | 65 | 764319492205754 | 3 | 2.4012363896203E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207805188640456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702464542 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410151787_749694773840628_8130314840453756262_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uuCFD1mPd90AX8jtmET&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCHU-b-IgcmEWuv-19i3igwmI1J2jBTNZvix8eHaZfgHQ&oe=6588C142 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55458 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 12:08 PM | 1703105770 | 1745600886 | 65 | 345090088141588 | 1 | 1.5829249257847E+15 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 103895441851542 | 0 | JoAnna Parlak | 120205406615320706 | Contact us | NONE | image | Fresh homemade butter | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/733867931925134/ | 1702863354 | 1.0389544185154E+14 | JoAnna Parlak | regular_page | 1 | JoAnna Parlak | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412220562_3727852810828427_6132452467672902965_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OBka7UqqDV4AX-Wq8tx&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCzA2eGu7fsapAFtTyUpQk_A8b-gGlJbESheBhwOOcq0g&oe=65877DE7 | 1 | 3 | Fresh homemade butter - $1,234.00<br /> <br /> Fresh made salted butter, garlic and herb compound butter, cinnamon sugar butter, individual butters.<br /> Facebook Marketplace | JoAnna Parlak | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100047247466784 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55469 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/23/25, 10:53 PM | 1703105770 | 1748058785 | 65 | 894551175240477 | 3.1589290310703E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105343545334758 | 0 | Culinary Creations | 6577364619418 | culinarycreationsre.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Le Creuset Cookware Sets are now On-The-House 🎁 | https://culinarycreationsre.com/ | 1702850438 | 1.0534354533476E+14 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411459358_1478281766064634_7548390259925829264_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VoSQGk-kujsAX-va5ma&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfABeeAk9uE-ktoo8LW38PnmApzFLpIgykluMCKPIV7gFw&oe=658794D4 | person_profile | 0 | Culinary Creations | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411459329_1433101807370112_8392747796829983196_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LvojaJ4M0gsAX_IbTE2&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA-kboIRME1D8Kn1iluZcwxCwpFlzqLOAVnxB8GjESP9Q&oe=6588CC19 | 0 | 3 | 🎁🎄DAY 9 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Give_away Sponsored by Chip & Joanna! | Culinary Creations | 8 | https://facebook.com/100090339347603 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56254 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:03 PM | 1703105778 | 1723748607 | 65 | 277153864914922 | 1 | 1.0449115235037E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997406860476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940816 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406756243_7642766595739996_3360875810401152055_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kFxmifR9iCcAX9IZzad&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfARbi72etCdASNA15pEHSRV42ZnXUx3J2PGh7oXJrpH-w&oe=658826D6 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406824121_1025235615230458_3536432969110713553_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=peDq9E4pwQYAX_8w82x&_nc_oc=AQnu5qrpd0nfb6EOnA4y0cS9vk-4JYU4GfR-i9mJG86pr_2UJLc_UJq5Klw_Jxc-uRLXGv75oANlkmIB4-s_scUG&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC2A61UM3FT6RrXIhq6QRIU3IZmfUfZgH7lem-8i5K92Q&oe=65875C66 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56301 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:07 PM | 1703105778 | 1723748835 | 65 | 325154623655160 | 6 | 3.3839384883275E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201882177430476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856341 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406772759_280354034537377_3707629111183943197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lYX8purylVQAX9oQxeY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC6vZS40UyL-5GihtEZzRckw0EpshkFbVKn2CWkcuZliQ&oe=65891D46 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406772368_326084377021140_6122905218859960577_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xH2NrwLmgicAX-i9g5L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB1xl5u0RmchkcuPbTDwxUd6PEvNkVShJb4OIOuyFeGUw&oe=6588ECF4 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56313 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 2:08 PM | 1703105779 | 1723748935 | 65 | 366503996052255 | 1 | 8.6743383506123E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881989890476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856018 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408754325_911528723666614_2426890887416355550_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ivAH7wBYTxAAX9_hD75&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDrcuc48A_xzijS2Pe_bGjKw3OK-_RyUKvIW9W7PpYtQA&oe=65885EDE | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408805756_2051508348520835_570933278957782174_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jHzOgS5ffpoAX9WAhyg&_nc_oc=AQnZZ2bVAiGlYn0_c03DMqQvrPMNtDuQ2FEO6ffEp6R-SGmI7bWN2zGjs9lqN1aXMQPg8Si19mniVSU6ifmIsbae&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA7fonVLfgC_QsH90-a_jxawaW01NFdhazA2yASdmX9yQ&oe=65880E71 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55302 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/29/25, 3:43 AM | 1703105768 | 1738122180 | 65 | 2045683475799196 | 1 | 1.3895648919942E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102972002836430 | 0 | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | 120202544728760511 | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | NONE | image | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | boy momma🧑model👠 wifey🥰 fashionista 👄comedian🤣 follow for 😃 | https://facebook.com/365Half | 1703002153 | 1.0297200283643E+14 | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412424758_1022617342128824_2260662279911096835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MtOD5nGhAG0AX_14dHS&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB7LbvGPMhg_4y9WSGHF5ZTMdl7lyHygqsrIvMnHu1Bgw&oe=65889C96 | person_profile | 0 | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412448448_1105888700781598_4776409059125763817_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WbUGJtigtrIAX8d6YEr&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfASTEn4wSc5g4X68ZYjsFL2B3UjC8_dbltc9gVSXNRbOA&oe=6587A71C | 0 | 3 | Annual picture by the silver tree 🎄 I challenge all of my girls to do a picture by their tree! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/leighanne.harelson">Leigh Anne Duncan Harelson</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/steven.brandt.5095">StevenJoanna Brandt</a> | Sarah Elizabeth Robertson | 203 | https://facebook.com/365Half | 0 | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56200 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 6:17 PM | 1703105778 | 1724282243 | 65 | 312548311623905 | 3 | 6.7167257495275E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074124570476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016011 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408762786_367373465666148_838932991125758585_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d5gvBidCVZQAX-Sp4NF&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCbywkmw9BVysNEXgaNhREeTRkerslBmcjVUwEl8rUdRw&oe=65874D7D | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408806618_1743556899463523_905578318595927019_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Brq-JgEp1-cAX95YOZc&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDf1Yvqzaua4DomFrnR2kYS3x3YcfjzjT3eUVFeTXHwJQ&oe=6587FCA2 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55738 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/21/24, 10:51 PM | 1703105772 | 1724298663 | 65 | 909503490593381 | 3 | 6.6481315887783E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590550918809 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494666 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411068708_371641165549644_916121854349159963_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vjQFZ_aACVcAX9r4HJi&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcHZryZHa9wN7IBPi8QiAT-zsuHhG2aq7_6KnXnp5o5g&oe=6587B379 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409192064_893054325383828_2088379461454483734_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YVuzVmdkki4AX9BaNL_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9HAWO9bDKwHmI4Lp8Rgdjnj8yo5MOpaU9UNCpwuIMTA&oe=65879261 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56698 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105783 | 1722970824 | 65 | 873701531006527 | 4 | 1.3093793964447E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674067420115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969828 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405795593_1416531958930344_5099476631414619828_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cWCsT4Ev43UAX9M_qBU&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAwzYpu3MEE-bxh2L5fNEpO_R1Wz1HmV7HNgmeUQr6cMw&oe=6588498E | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403714394_338144088835838_4735249512208110077_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OF2gDQgNgvYAX-f31GE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDN3vVmH8jjtyS9K-08q7xohX4yjOxF2Xz6ovR9JggvDQ&oe=6587CDED | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56580 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/15/24, 3:20 AM | 1703105782 | 1723710046 | 65 | 252452070881969 | 2 | 3.6904946223749E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 119816401108725 | 0 | Complete Day Magazine | 120201294377190716 | foodisinthehouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Los productores intentaron ocultar esto al público durante mucho tiempo, pero ahora, Joanna no solo rompió el silencio sobre su esposo, sino que también supimos lo que sucedió detrás de escena que terminó el programa. | Fixer Upper de HGTV es uno de los reality shows inmobiliarios más populares de todos los tiempos. Chip y Joanna Gaines se han vuelto súper famosos gracias a sus papeles en la presentación del programa súper popular y a las celebridades por derecho propio. Pero cuando su matrimonio comenzó a des... | https://foodisinthehouse.com/desarrollarse-verdad-j5-ext/ | 1701108968 | 1.1981640110872E+14 | Complete Day Magazine | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404624894_893429292298994_3723926639396604572_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-pUBGqrQRlMAX_6VF-1&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfB_CkVKsdoT0GQ-XS1Z4qNHCd2_pzIDz0k99RxMEXKM8g&oe=658917B2 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fixer Upper's Dark Downers: Los secretos ocultos detrás del exitoso programa de televisión | Complete Day Magazine | 45 | https://facebook.com/100092596243928 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56953 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/6/24, 2:00 PM | 1703105786 | 1722970824 | 65 | 891837365899347 | 8.9788543133228E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721115290167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679000 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404549215_1715815735586018_265815704509471861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AcKROjmBac0AX_K8zao&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAVY5B9BlPV7m16IvkUV6ZKJ8nN9q1RU085kU_z8vdj6w&oe=6588F442 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55800 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/23/25, 8:36 PM | 1703105773 | 1742780200 | 65 | 1150273209689669 | 2.4012363896203E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207799018590456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702462337 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410669349_330889723084881_5927655487184809955_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oFY2a7C98lQAX_2oOOV&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1ihxq-kB8VfB7InudnJeNH5NY0xnW3hEFgQ2hzwos-g&oe=6587F203 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56276 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 12:35 AM | 1703105778 | 1743053727 | 65 | 914543483355300 | 3.6476807956901E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202295959490520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | 37 Truly Strange Facts About Chip And Joanna Gaines' 'So Called' Marriage | A Look at Chip and Joanna Gaines's Love Story | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701921710 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408138304_262740003125787_1411803594968057142_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ia1TaPYp1REAX9pDyIa&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOY5eX73F9sFvU-BZhmyJS7ZTLim9HpZdL0-NOG3EWqg&oe=6587FCE5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 37 Truly Strange Facts About Chip And Joanna Gaines' 'So Called' Marriage | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55920 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 4:43 AM | 1703105775 | 1748079826 | 65 | 733664361977668 | 1 | 1.0573673654622E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 103979006138365 | 0 | Verzachtend-A | 120202208451560276 | merri.shop | Learn more | NONE | image | 𝙆𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙤𝙣 you to join the 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 loss programme. | Local News SHE HAS AMAZINGLY LOST 47 POUNDS! Something that changed my life in 2023 . / CBS Baltimore CBS News Live CBS News Baltimore Live Kelly Clarkson, famous American singer, has struggled unsuccessfully with her overweight, trying countless ways to lose weight, but now she has finally found a.... | https://merri.shop/Kelly%20Clarkson/ | 1702425971 | 1.0397900613836E+14 | Verzachtend-A | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409414277_1031194881460445_7901970556454773168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tATogIRCrE8AX93ORGT&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCpSHbC0ePHNO0XQBd19s98sIeNUQlaMqq81UYFgUmCaA&oe=6588E1E1 | person_profile | 0 | Verzachtend-A | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409591271_1420622508876251_7281748699937777864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0vIImfHSxrMAX-Q7Rpt&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBsynh5FWHkaTgZSfNhww5ctfgeg8e6zvzPKFQzLFg1zg&oe=6588D3C6 | 0 | 3 | 👩🎤𝙅𝙤𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙂𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 invites American superstars to attend the "Emmy Awards". And shared the weight loss process, joining the ranks of changing body shape and paying attention to health... | Verzachtend-A | 43 | https://facebook.com/61550498312630 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55274 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:18 AM | 1703105768 | 1746692285 | 65 | 1020175829062389 | 1 | 1.0509628762351E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 747469972280927 | 0 | OURCHURCH | 120204404324000013 | NONE | video | Peace | 1703030357 | 7.4746997228093E+14 | OURCHURCH | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410820967_740241214657016_8815611938790523573_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8epVMNss9SQAX8ULlZB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtg0sWmPEhw56hyA52ue8lYtB2cC_5ycgiaD5epR5izw&oe=6588966E | person_profile | 0 | OURCHURCH | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410868605_348960814420810_7158868138655975678_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l9R6KBfaHKwAX-cLfuX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnu-1qbShxmcY--_saCFvPtGwkR2eN8OmtbrQU4ff4og&oe=6588F66F | 0 | 3 | “We go from flawed to flawless in God's eye.” Pastor Dean Curry<br /> <br /> #JesusIsEnough #ourchurch | OURCHURCH | 1470 | https://facebook.com/OURCHURCH253 | 0 | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55565 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:19 AM | 1703105771 | 1746692387 | 65 | 352581460727883 | 1 | 7.7411912759091E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011751540506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636968 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409861824_1445484236015246_1074785108878760429_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ACFqls8erkEAX-sdZeT&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfALEOBIIMPN5OPvx1DYG2P8tpOpDGI_tFi8Zwvgd9XrAQ&oe=65893391 | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411065777_1116728189706594_8719350739643296550_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y0Zc0j5C0CEAX_RXA0U&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCykb02diNRvJnG61rMx1ecnovuluAKLfAgyxKim_OpsQ&oe=658853EC | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55832 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 4:50 AM | 1703105773 | 1732013420 | 65 | 334474945991384 | 1 | 1.0249353588041E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | taken-down | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411478050044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458276 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410642739_1371189016857115_3395028436938663351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gdDENQ1Qk4UAX-_atjP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD2fLZBQfLWL4HsXEFLUIzNk902HK7tWxmV5XHlrPAP0Q&oe=658784B0 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410658109_2387397331440471_7863810005508204296_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wAI48KvY-SMAX_cp8OM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDViPsxKvpkFZ1yxPdJgFJbOtnXJjxAQNYhnT99H9PZlg&oe=65879E99 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55620 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:20 AM | 1703105771 | 1746692453 | 65 | 370432502128198 | 1 | 1.1486699794445E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102221635727945 | 0 | On This Day | 120203393402960448 | pastchronicles.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Mysteries From The Past | https://www.pastchronicles.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555310 | 1.0222163572794E+14 | On This Day | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411192626_2699876043508450_6348255391197785067_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F5S6jHwaZ4EAX-_CCoi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAw24bCpVXJDSlsyx6_GPaH5nUnbepFHIxUHSsb056aA&oe=65885851 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | On This Day | 5423 | https://facebook.com/100078223331969 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55625 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:21 AM | 1703105771 | 1746692460 | 65 | 384841750738045 | 1 | 3.4475678222213E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204044799540514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702610540 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411133834_394593522999395_2200491126870157391_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=w9pvdA03oTkAX99Kd9l&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPEjsGHaLYqIVyuy8FRC6lIPYENMS39EqQFGWl-Sl4vQ&oe=6587C3FC | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411095100_907794724110766_5185078354310593394_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lnTk3tUegOsAX-r6nwy&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC5JPEuqMtoLWRKg1zx7Twh275zuXPRzKy_AkrmwEYSbw&oe=6587F9CB | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55733 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:21 AM | 1703105772 | 1746692467 | 65 | 271085962632681 | 1 | 3.1218922164398E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 141486289197940 | 0 | Carr & Carr Personal Injury Attorneys | 6570886326880 | Like Page | NONE | video | 1702506081 | 1.4148628919794E+14 | Carr & Carr Personal Injury Attorneys | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409933687_899411918231352_954261525699743853_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0-J71RTWKAYAX8FFBaW&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDdMKySM-bEyKpOpfMics-gdoCKIEOk1qxmqI420EMaCQ&oe=65885247 | person_profile | 0 | Carr & Carr | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410002129_24697935509789898_8408965715601556420_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=duc_N_FzG3YAX89gK21&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAkTB4kkeFBCst5lM1TKX-OG9kDWLEFyQqDBzapZ7E4Uw&oe=65889203 | 0 | 3 | Joanna was such a grateful and kind client! We thank her for her kind words and always being so great to work with. | Carr & Carr Personal Injury Attorneys | 4130 | https://facebook.com/carrandcarr | 0 | LIKE_PAGE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56849 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 8:09 PM | 1703105785 | 1735006198 | 65 | 904314087970329 | 20 | 6.6684229876572E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207900290403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724606 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402664038_1818663458651461_2743137844661730097_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AlAtafn4ndAAX8u7iuC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAixcFBKhUDUToKwzZRk0K7U9lDM9KY4llKc_X5ajlOCg&oe=65880D9B | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405048641_1526956954708063_1021064771660116055_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OG1mzcfupvkAX9DuYi9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDA_97Qer9pBj2qKUGlRt90kbR7mtje3ODrj5W6eD4Jmg&oe=6587B290 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55791 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/23/24, 9:27 PM | 1703105773 | 1735010823 | 65 | 1300166864020268 | 2 | 1.5384068445448E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104682145044102 | 0 | Lena Hendrix Author | 120201080332870254 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Small Town, Brother's Best Friend Romance! | Start reading now... | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091V6X69L | 1699674349 | 1.046821450441E+14 | Lena Hendrix Author | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401146373_332304106113080_6891622507213012323_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p4tlJdD1UmcAX-FCW1s&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfAFQms0qqMmAUMAgI2PpeNj3IUDP6lWE9kuOGa7dY3Pcw&oe=6587DAB4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | “Jo.” His fingertips glided up my sides and moved toward my back.<br /> “Yes, Lincoln,” I said, lifting my eyes to meet his. If he didn’t lean forward and kiss me, I was going to dissolve in this pool of water.<br /> Lincoln’s hands settled on my hips, my legs still softly kicking in the deep water. He gently pulled my hips forward, his fingers digging tenderly into the flesh, until I was nestled against him. I felt him between us, and a soft gasp escaped me.<br /> “Joanna,” he said, moving his hands over my back and shifting my legs to around him. <br /> “No one calls me Joanna,” I said breathlessly as my heart pounded in my chest.<br /> “But you are my Joanna, aren’t you?” he said, his voice gravely with desire, searching my face for some answer.<br /> <br /> My Joanna.<br /> <br /> In that moment, I knew. All this time, Lincoln had received my letters. He’d read them and he knew because I always signed each one simply, with Joanna.<br /> <br /> FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3Z2D9ao&h=AT0WZ1VOx9tfwM0MhPuEXcjRAaZZS6AjPeLISodLqRTMZK8b3p3S6UNSwoGwlA9vsASDDNNgjKOTmCMqbCsYY6z1L-Oy95u-qAx-Nh3wwNMg5wtBFp_0CMWa2kwPjEZPPElXqaGqZUJcf4rYI9lAPJGAuE4" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://bit.ly/3Z2D9ao</a> | Lena Hendrix Author | 946 | https://facebook.com/lenahendrixwrites | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55639 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 10:09 AM | 1703105772 | 1748099392 | 65 | 1041782563609835 | 1 | 3.6253506244143E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104720722411938 | 0 | Home Made | 120201927012640576 | homeknowledge.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Your DIY Destination | https://www.homeknowledge.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555246 | 1.0472072241194E+14 | Home Made | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410122030_910823900376285_3944079704420268279_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_HOJ0r_ExUgAX-rVF0f&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKlsOzHwUdMCb9pfVVxjrQubtPcPkTLSchHaFQMWmfhA&oe=6587BD33 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Home Made | 5650 | https://facebook.com/100086518744240 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55734 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:35 AM | 1703105772 | 1746693305 | 65 | 1273602173327160 | 1 | 6.3643509513298E+14 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 105990645054609 | 0 | legendarybluescruise | 6558058736001 | bluescruise.com | Learn more | NONE | image | https://bluescruise.com/41-oct-2024-southeastern-caribbean/ | 1702503329 | 1.0599064505461E+14 | legendarybluescruise | https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/312006108_1075156769868163_5008341224103506334_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=5D7cVm8pbmcAX8rgpXj&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfAGclaH5A5H-7rbfyzW4tMGI5yIvi2xIc87EPx7Rka9_g&oe=6587F14A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Blues Cruise | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410802791_1298659047519719_2103587413634933098_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=APO96e6oI6cAX-sEQmm&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDr1PhUoXGNJGoJWLTHvWbBOa6BlTP2Hb2shIBY-AxFCQ&oe=6587C80A | 0 | 3 | 85% SOLD OUT! Book your cabin on the #41 Blues Cruise today! Link in bio. <br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> •<br /> #bluesin #bluescruise #lrbc #legendarybluescruise #ourshipkicksass<br /> @allyvenableband @studebakerjohn5 @gabestillmanmusic @davidjuliamusic @dubb4doug @jontaviouswillis @andrewallirva @mitchwoods88 @revbillycwirtz @eden.brent @realdaryldavis @chukbarber rch | legendarybluescruise | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/legendarybluescruise | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56193 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 3:14 AM | 1703105777 | 1745050492 | 65 | 1372379220316158 | 2 | 2.9949278909666E+14 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672500670427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030349 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409044271_761673175777704_4353711233996880010_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nFCRz-RomEoAX-VxS95&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfCd__RMCm9O9n845sot1hFgz6GjjKrWEZLJ4XoRbw083w&oe=6588BCEC | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409012511_1380437755914672_1042691725804128424_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e72K7oP83oYAX_hzeK4&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfC1qsgzTWHsno_HQpvq3yf4P0QnF3lsxos2czmFXqGXxA&oe=658858DA | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56171 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/1/25, 5:11 PM | 1703105777 | 1738451487 | 65 | 1006977723738027 | 2 | 1.6683293536759E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 416589001735771 | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | 120202885837560552 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/djjoannacoelho | 1702038352 | 4.1658900173577E+14 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406744160_723282426064021_5134437437892069345_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EeC9hJ0RNzEAX_RR7Zb&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBb8-oHxbNfCu0xKTTwmn_TVEazEMRte1rdP_DETsbUwQ&oe=658780A6 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406769742_278571198081406_885170639683942509_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h20pgBupajMAX9E5ju3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCjm5w35dcgGR5o4SHwiOpuZcXaPM25xKCi3edmVzdpzw&oe=65877A70 | 0 | 3 | Still recovering ❤️🩹 @jaleomusicalmeria thank you so much to every single one of you 🔥<br /> <br /> 📹📸 @legrandleseur <br /> <br /> #hardtechno #darktechno #rave #industrialtechno #acidtechno #harddancemusic #berlintechno #uktechno #soundcloudmix #fasttechno #harddance #joannacoelho | JOANNA COELHO | 21301 | https://facebook.com/djjoannacoelho | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55248 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686710 | 65 | 1371593897064941 | 1 | 7.1853890306777E+14 | 1698735600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 120201696275260563 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://jestemkochanka.pl/funnel/5u-zakup-2/5u/?op3_vid=45158 | 1698602197 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/397324541_363118449496143_2669106499506736950_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QArjP3ORaZMAX8BUgLx&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDHvdRvzGwIa3BydgdY3H7ee_ik39XMaVPCwnd-8LnoZA&oe=65882DF4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1698562800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55250 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686715 | 65 | 1080688689761954 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 130264507048538 | 0 | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | 120201198536170651 | fb.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Discover the collection | https://fb.com/canvas_doc/697425242307300 | 1697620276 | 1.3026450704854E+14 | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391620634_1514298952700334_2452408780940229004_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fg8jdtPhEPEAX-nTf6H&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtWYfkjKfWzswPuPQG5a1rNa3z2xUyRMyVxfqH8Vsl6w&oe=6587A982 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA DAHDAH - Fine Jewellery | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391614953_887231289076531_9143610204187724021_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GQId7R7mD-wAX_FxUgU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDlSm3x9rTzhK8vY5TGiijumt5XHVUL8cxR15Ll1U4mbw&oe=6588B3AD | 0 | 3 | Discover the vibrant world of Joanna Dahdah's beautiful, colorful pendants! Each piece is a captivating symphony of hues, designed to add a pop of joy and playfulness to your style.<br /> <br /> #JoannaDahdah #ColorfulCharms | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | 2428 | https://facebook.com/joannadahdah | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1697698800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55258 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686734 | 65 | 954849518920267 | 2 | 9.865378626115E+14 | 1694156400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23858688503130562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1693688333 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/374262180_207368435438827_5763664930283400073_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QWyQklByheMAX-clIJb&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBSiVhrrxq-8RJt1VGswSewBY761H74yrGDsoLbvJpzjA&oe=6587657D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🔴O co chodzi z tymi ( bolesnymi) wzorcami miłości?<br /> Twój związek lub jego brak, to odbicie Twoich “wewnętrznych” wzorców miłości.<br /> Czym właściwie są wzorce miłości, i skąd się biorą?<br /> <br /> A co ważniejsze, czy jeśli są dla Ciebie “bolesne”, prowokują trudne <br /> i nierówne relacje, to czy możesz coś z tym zrobić?<br /> <br /> Czy też już raz na zawsze jesteś na nie skazana?<br /> <br /> Na ile w ogóle masz wpływ na te wzorce?<br /> <br /> Skąd się biorą?<br /> <br /> Twoje wzorce miłości to odzwierciedlenie często relacji w Twojej rodzinie.<br /> To odbicie Twoich “trudów” dzieciństwa.<br /> <br /> Odbicie ukrytych dynamik relacji z matką, ojcem.<br /> <br /> Które nie zawsze wyglądały jak “groźne traumy”, a jednak sączyły się do Twojej podświadomości.<br /> #<br /> Czasem nie wiesz, że byłaś “kochana boleśnie”.<br /> <br /> Byłaś uczona, że masz z siebie dawać,<br /> że masz zasłużyć,<br /> że masz czekać,<br /> że taka jaka jesteś, jesteś do poprawy, korekty, zmiany, naprawy.<br /> <br /> #<br /> Byłaś “odrzucana”, bo nie tak jak być powinno, niewystarczająca dobra.<br /> Zbyt…<br /> Za…<br /> Niewystarczająco…<br /> <br /> #<br /> Byłaś za wcześniej dorosła, ponad miarę.<br /> Matkowałaś rodzicom.<br /> <br /> Żeby być akceptowana starałaś się bardziej.<br /> Dawałaś z siebie więcej.<br /> Ukrywałaś co czujesz naprawdę.<br /> <br /> Różnie…<br /> <br /> #<br /> <br /> A dzisiaj Twoje relacje pokazują Twoje podświadome bolesne wzorce miłości.<br /> <br /> A to<br /> * dajesz więcej z siebie i dopasowujesz się do jego planów, celów, czasu,<br /> dopasowujesz się do - nie wiadomo czego,<br /> <br /> * jesteś niewidziana,<br /> <br /> * Twoje potrzeby są umniejszane, ignorowane,<br /> <br /> * matkujesz, ogarniasz,<br /> <br /> * jesteś tą trzecią/ na boku…,<br /> <br /> * jesteś zdradzona,<br /> <br /> * on nie umie się zdecydować,<br /> <br /> * on pojawia się i znika…<br /> <br /> 🔵<br /> <br /> On<br /> taki sam, ze swoimi bolesnymi wzorcami…<br /> <br /> Prawda jest taka, że możesz to zmienić.<br /> <br /> Jak?<br /> <br /> Kiedy świadomie na to popatrzysz, zidentyfikujesz całą misterna grę w niemiłość.<br /> I uznasz, że to jest.<br /> I, że jest w Tobie.<br /> <br /> Kiedy uświadomisz sobie, że masz moc, aby to zmienić.<br /> Bo świadome popatrzenie w siebie i uznanie tego co było, jakie było, bez osądu daje moc.<br /> I ZAŁOŻYSZ, że to co stare i bolesne NIE musi Cię obowiązywać.<br /> <br /> Kiedy zaczniesz siebie postrzegać jako<br /> chcianą,<br /> kochaną,<br /> szanowaną,<br /> ważną,<br /> szczęśliwą.<br /> <br /> Kiedy zbudujesz swoją wizję kobiety/ Bogini.<br /> I tylko tym się staniesz.<br /> <br /> To jest możliwe.<br /> I realne.<br /> I od Ciebie wymaga- tylko jednej rzeczy.<br /> <br /> DECYZJI. Że chcesz dobrej miłości.<br /> I jesteś gotowa zaangażować się w ten proces.<br /> I wiesz, że zmiana w Tobie odzwierciedla się na zewnątrz.<br /> <br /> Zacznij tutaj<br /> Warto odczarować bolesne wzorce miłości. Być jedyną, najważniejszą. Priorytetem. Zacznij ze mną. Kliknij i odbierz 1 sze wideo<br /> a potem dołącz do kursu<br /> Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT2lOC3PQBKtDuY3gPKiL64ph2hoGkPVRehk3vxEsi09Yf9a6GHGlRXVZDRIe1J4J3dceQfBWRmJm5eOIFJhmqHarvSq0g4KQKLjPdL7kc7tDXYoZ-XsLSiuQ10ElqGFYUOz0mL-a3bI06ymY2yGbg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1693724400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55261 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686744 | 65 | 675968721349491 | 1 | 1.0810791363647E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120202449143000087 | joannaczech.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannaczech.com/collections/the-kit-individual/products/the-soothing-serum | 1701463480 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406984908_730104271880267_878205655278318865_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KlGwIoh_oAIAX8tqmVa&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQgTTjAd-5ybZnbMuPww4u8gb9aNtVX30WrqLv2TFGIA&oe=6588AF62 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405226124_870158671399762_6709793324119323970_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JFbxDqMkAJwAX_mZjk0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDUO_EIlc9qQCmhnX2i5OHJYR1mpYt3_VZdUMms4Kc41A&oe=6587D95D | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55266 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686759 | 65 | 1597134261103831 | 2 | 1.2010030673455E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203672883390183 | No button | NONE | video | My Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipe! | 1702946256 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412300575_1857326674700970_2687031984648221583_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qOYi4qWSSPUAX9cdBIx&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCm55xIz3nY-t5G5hxmmOqimDG16hrntrybY9dVA_F19Q&oe=65891D53 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | My favorite recipe for Christmas cookies! First, gather all of the ingredients. Second, take a cute picture for social media.<br /> <br /> Finally (and this is the most important step), go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesweetboutiquebakery">The Sweet Boutique Bakery</a> here in Sugar Land and buy as many of their cookies as you can. Give them to friends and family, and they'll think you baked them! Win-win. Merry Christmas everyone 😉<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55271 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 11:08 AM | 1703105768 | 1746979738 | 65 | 1857994154619418 | 1 | 3.4905465448884E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170297716163901 | 0 | BookBaby New Releases | 120201913669410379 | amazon.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.amazon.com/EcoQueen-Superhero-Reverse-Climate-Change/dp/1736598708/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=joanna+kanow&qid=1619545752&sr=8-1 | 1701882181 | 1.702977161639E+14 | BookBaby New Releases | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405441764_1711322396012019_1019064948199363942_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aSIFMF-qe4EAX_tpWyz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBVtDim7J3bEOD7ysEqCFU4Z_ZVe-THkRmzPXLsAPnrOw&oe=65884BCE | person_profile | 0 | BookBaby New Releases | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406988376_3789523494706833_466409700690327230_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hRUHOFTpEzwAX-2dzSw&_nc_oc=AQmnnnkYeaA3e--xTjTF-C_zEpNt0RJIXlgd8LVkMBnnY0Gqa1Hf6Az_MulVv0gi-wdcONid2jTAx6NKEDHDcD45&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBFRFvwEFSyUGDgr6cgTYW2JWoh_4O1DMIh9vVPULcyJg&oe=65887C16 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | BookBaby New Releases | 97 | https://facebook.com/61553044875102 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55272 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:46 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686778 | 65 | 2434627296989873 | 2 | 1.5909435949824E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108722372008776 | 0 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 120202357643860668 | fb.com | Visit Profile | NONE | image | www.fb.com | http://www.fb.com/1815223141 | 1703043395 | 1.0872237200878E+14 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411228046_726785749514444_8110329792384285944_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G6yUBFHc-0MAX90x0Tv&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlz0JyAqWfoE7Dl6ABmCahudyOWW7Bva533mmpKiYKgw&oe=6588BA74 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Live everyday like it’s your last day, XOXO… Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 and Happy New Year 🎊🎈🎆 | Joanna Quijada Chavarin | 192 | https://facebook.com/joanna.quija | 0 | VISIT_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55495 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 8:44 AM | 1703105770 | 1745070249 | 65 | 324484807188066 | 2 | 7.3397771482276E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508578830427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806192 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409983839_7058427787556624_8089379301517309842_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z0q6O959I78AX-YK4Gg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMvDg_veotukrbeyvBVdNWysh8snpBeMvDaRIA6Z28Hg&oe=65891DBB | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409984746_2289682054558299_6649374262654374419_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1kEXj1siyRkAX81C7Fm&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDq_e6HTf6OYqfR9i9Ss0QZKVglGV6Med-Zeoy3Oa1LwQ&oe=65882AF1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56211 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 12:54 PM | 1703105778 | 1748109291 | 65 | 1085364819491480 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074057320476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702015920 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408964698_760110865938779_9168368140077978786_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NfadCIc5jWkAX-0g5p-&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfDmVjrwhja42w-q_oVy1F1fLG57lIZ_uTFue6KIKeJUkA&oe=65876D7C | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408996983_6798919186843430_4029889489695145261_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-mnLg-NSJjwAX8V1aSu&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfA1x59sbx-7_NORlRfR8ezhssTFNPFlyaLzj3TFGNIlCw&oe=65889923 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55624 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/10/25, 9:37 PM | 1703105771 | 1749609464 | 65 | 373417021715247 | 1 | 3.8495901720929E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101684119381451 | 0 | Trend Worthy | 120202071513420426 | trendymatter.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | Your Ultimate Destination for Entertainment News | https://www.trendymatter.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702555416 | 1.0168411938145E+14 | Trend Worthy | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411174112_870686661512499_4908570981331415271_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8TryFClrU6UAX8IBmdA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwX5ef-Z6Tcyo6Ry_BzOg8dFk9etMGEfDAZmQh1taYUQ&oe=65881AFB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Trend Worthy | 2390 | https://facebook.com/100085871875918 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56291 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/29/25, 10:43 PM | 1703105778 | 1738190582 | 65 | 313702258209361 | 1 | 1.0247842718697E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108594095633452 | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 23861610348680378 | snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Quality Dental Care Tailored to Your Needs! 🦷 | Call today for exceptional dental services in Snohomish | https://snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com/new-patients | 1696355194 | 1.0859409563345E+14 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/386509094_858934222089991_3470384022711639764_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Da8K7S0uS7wAX9R7Bs-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCmNzHCmKgPZlSMlraXNouYOg6iesssYBLguR39sWbSGg&oe=6587F25F | person_profile | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/386509913_1007141903769932_4345801801419065998_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sECD2zQG-6cAX8tTx0q&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBActcFTN79em_S7L7fF5khnuuz71ENiFr0osdDyM3h8Q&oe=65884CFC | 0 | 3 | Hey there, I'm Dr. Huy Ngo, or Dr. No – your friendly dentist on a mission to keep your smile in top-notch shape! <br /> <br /> I've been passionate about dental care since 2009 when I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). <br /> <br /> Later, I pursued my dreams at Roseman University, graduating with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2018.<br /> <br /> Pilchuck Family Dentistry is now serving Snohomish and its surrounding areas. <br /> <br /> I strive to provide top-notch care for you and your loved ones, offering a wide range of services from routine check-ups to cosmetic procedures. Your dental health is my utmost priority.<br /> <br /> As a mom of two adorable kids, Kai and Joanna, I understand the value of gentle and compassionate dentistry for the whole family. <br /> <br /> When I'm not perfecting smiles, you'll find me enjoying cooking, hiking, gardening, and creating cherished memories with my loved ones. <br /> <br /> Don't wait – book your appointment today, and let's achieve a smile that lights up your world! | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 6 | https://facebook.com/100094510184320 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56156 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 2:17 PM | 1703105777 | 1748114259 | 65 | 1384306845795456 | 1 | 6.4891095011937E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101425912363957 | 0 | Yot Club | 6500395107889 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702073062 | 1.0142591236396E+14 | Yot Club | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409637763_365314396015072_8739030276865212542_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l9HAjmRnwXcAX_f-gQR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBCpnHm1jougyuuWXrSmYNpooe5ZZbyDZx4Y8NuIAT_cQ&oe=658928D9 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408035968_662687742703893_8306293094811369516_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=--IuuqTXmAoAX8gr-Lq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-oBCg1kr87apSV_tgdiDLNGZ1Exz7TRhFfz4gyiW7RA&oe=65880BF6 | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10 -12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT1vkf-8iw0rIFvG2gFhiQTZ9-4aXL-36n87_IlWmF1vZ3wzYrDP8p4sYglkJnMROG17zdUYS2Yul8lPbgkmN3kPp_Az5k8H4cPSZiL5ve5prQc3PQGX0y8RnmYuxP-QmaUIiFsTPfSW9RfBpxWeacUhymaxy92heEImbA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Yot Club | 487 | https://facebook.com/yotclub.ryan | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56503 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 12:37 PM | 1703105781 | 1746985034 | 65 | 1022840198976499 | 1 | 7.3142370501736E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100958279167471 | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120203115912430294 | dreame.onelink.me | Download | NONE | image | Continue reading 👉"When A Witch Loves A Werewolf" | https://m.dreame.com/novel/1800871680?auto_jump=true&utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_prt=risingtechnolog&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701257143 | 1.0095827916747E+14 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406695601_1853719015045136_626577908125497179_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vUhupIgyRYQAX-rp0GM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBn6dHqnsaN7Z2wEzuGlrWWNW57lKLAVA07MttzoTlBHw&oe=6587B675 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406696024_232832473031730_7751744868972381255_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LteeDAeeUzMAX-xOuLW&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC8ULR8HCaInGu4XOKMx95ktfKawg4cdw-mF7pohhpjpw&oe=6587AF41 | 0 | 3 | "Keep your hands off my man!!" I stared at my boyfriend and his new girl in anger, but words never split from my lips.<br /> Jessie was mere inches away. He touched the tip of his nose to her forehead. She bit her lip. He inhaled deeply. He slid his nose down to her and nuzzled her.<br /> He had never done that to me before.<br /> I realized she was gripping his tie.<br /> Heat coursed through me. The whole room felt like a furnace.<br /> I could have yelled out but that's just not the best plan for revenge.<br /> ***<br /> "I heard you want to take his pack down." I made that phone call.<br /> "Yes, and if you did more investigation, you'll know that's not the only thing I want." The male's voice sounds not that evil.<br /> "What else do you want?"<br /> "You!"<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> The wind howled like a wolf in the presence of the full moon. The rain hammered against the roof. Thunder boomed in my ears and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating my dark bedroom momentarily. I sighed. The weather matched my mood. Toady was the first day of my senior year at Ambrosia High and I was less than thrilled about it.<br /> In Ambrosia, werewolves ran the school. They were so naturally athletic that almost every single one of them was a star on some sports team or the other. Jocks, I grumbled inwardly. Humans adored them and in return, they were given protection. The Ambrosia Wolf Pack protected the town from any and every possible threat. Witches, on the other hand, were respected by humans out of fear. They were captivated and frightened of our magic simultaneously. I, as the Maiden of the Ambrosia Coven, was the most feared, which is ridiculous because I was the shyest and most introverted person at the whole school. I chuckled to myself. I was not looking forward to another day of people scampering away from me and whispering and exchanging nervous glances as I walk by. I had really enjoyed my time at home this holiday season. I spent almost all of it indoors, except when the moon was full. I could not resist a full moon. My mother would say I must have a little werewolf blood in me. I laughed at the thought. Witches observed the full moon too. The lunar phases corresponded with different spells. The wolves did not own the Moon like the owned the school.<br /> I showered, letting the warm water run over my long dark brown curls and golden skin. I shutd my large hazel eyes to shut out the water and the world. When I was done, I put on my school uniform. Yes. I said it. School uniform. Ambrosia High had a strict dress code. We were only allowed to wear our own clothes on Fridays as a treat and today was Monday. Fridays were also half day, ending at twelve. Every other week day dragged on from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. At least the uniform was actually flattering. It was pretty cute to be honest. Girls wore knee-length, pleated lavender skirts with light grey buttoned down shirts tucked in. The girls’ skirts had puffed sleeves which I personally loved. The guys wore grey pants with lavender buttoned down shirts. No puff sleeves. They also had to wear grey ties. We all wore black socks with black ankle boots. I sprayed on my favourite perfume. It was a blend of roses, jasmine and lily of the valley.<br /> I opened my umbrella to shield myself from the heavy downpour. I trudged to the car where my father, James Jaded, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. My mother, Jacqueline Jaded, was in the front passenger seat. He looked cheerful. His green eyes sparkled as he laughed, tossing his head back. He had pale skin and blonde hair which contrasted my mother’s mocha skin, jet black curls and dark brown eyes. They were both beautiful and outgoing. My mother had even been a beauty queen in her day, winning Miss Ambrosia before I was born. I looked like neither of them exactly with my golden skin and long brown loose curls and waves that always seemed windswept no matter how neatly I styled them. My amber eyes were large and heavily rimmed by long dark lashes. If you saw both of my parents together with me, then you could tell I was theirs. My parents were always telling me I was beautiful. I did not believe them. They were just trying to build my confidence so that I would come out of my shell more, but my shyness had very little to do with my looks. There were things about me even my parents did not know.<br /> “Jamie, I can tell you’re really excited for your first day back,” my dad said, teasing me. He glanced back at my sullen expression. My mother looked back at me, frowning with worry.<br /> “I’m ok, mom,” I lied, perking up.<br /> They now both looked suspicious but said nothing further as they drove through a the torrential downpour of rain to get to the school. I let my mind wander. I hated school but I was excited to see him again. I was sure he might have heard about me as I was the Maiden of the Witch Coven but we had never spoken. I sighed.<br /> “If I didn’t know any better,” my father’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “I would say you could control the weather with your moods, Jamie. This weather matches your expression, my little thistle-witch.” My father chuckled lightheartedly. My mother, though, peered at me through the rearview mirror. She looked at me as though there might be truth to that joke.<br /> I hurriedly grab my huge purple fuzzy backpack and rush out the car. I had left my umbrella behind. I curse inwardly as I run as quickly as someone who hates every sport can. I was slim despite my distaste for sports. I splash through a few puddles as I run through the path to the double front doors. The path was lined with purple rose bushes that were heavily laden with thorns. The school building was boasted five floors. Grey brick with stein glass windows on the outside. Hardwood floors and floral wallpapering on the inside. The stein glass made the light inside reflect all the colours of whatever scene was depicted on each window. Every window told a story of werewolf or witch kind. I scrambled through the double doors, slipping on the wet floor. I could not catch my balance. I waited for my body to hit the hard wood but it did not. Someone caught me in their arms. It was him.<br /> <br /> Thanks for reading! I love reading comments! It's so encouraging!<br /> A/N: I have a F a c e book page now. It's Joanna J just like my name here. The username is @joannajwriter<br /> :)<br /> Part I: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 2: His Little Witch<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> I was over the moon about my first day of senior year. I leapt out of bed that morning and showered in cold water to perk myself up even more. I ran down the stairs and into my car. Since I turned seventeen, my parents had been allowing me to drive myself to school. My eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. I would finally be able to phase and could take over the Ambrosia Wolf Pack, which was thought to be the strongest wolf pack in the world. My father, Henry Gold, and my mother, Henrietta Gold, waved from the driveway, seeing me off. They were both tall, olive-skinned, black-haired and blue-eyed. My father stood at six feet and six inches. My mother was five feet and eleven inches. I looked exactly like them but did not keep my hair short like my father. Mine was shoulder-length and slightly wavy. I was six feet and two inches and constantly telling my father that I was going to be taller than him after I phased. After phasing at age eighteen, wolves increased in height and build in their human forms, especially the new alpha. My father and mother were the current Alpha and Luna of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. They were also called the Alpha King and Luna Queen because of our lineage. We were descended from the very first werewolf, Bastion and his mate, Reina. My birthday was Friday which could not come fast enough. I was already faster in my human form than most even in their werewolf forms. I could not wait to inherit all of my powers. I loved Ambrosia and was excited to protect her. I call the town a she by the way. Most members of the Wolf Pack referred to the town this way.<br /> I sped through the rain. I was not worried about getting a ticket. Being the future Alpha in Ambrosia had its privileges. My future Beta, Dalton Drakes, and my future Gamma, Zachary Stronghold also took advantage of their privileges. They had already turned eighteen and phased but they were waiting for me, their future Alpha before they officially took their fathers’ posts. They were also my best friends. We were like brothers. We had been raised together as our parents knew we would one day take over the pack and would need to have a good bond. Ever since, they had both phased, they were able to speak to each other telepathically. I had to admit I felt a little left out. I was impatient to feel like the trio we had always been again. I knew they were anticipating it too. I heard my phone pinging constantly in the passenger’s seat. I knew it was our group chat, messaging excitedly about my eighteenth birthday party on Friday. My parents were planning it with my two best friends help and they enjoyed teasing me about not knowing any of the details. I pulled into Ambrosia High. The huge grey building loomed before me. I parked in my spot. Yes. I had a reserved parking spot as the future Alpha and thereby protector of this town. I thought it was overmurder. I was still just a teenager and a student here. However, on this Monday, with its heavy rain and murky puddles, I was glad for it. I was parked near to the school doors. I ran into the building. Almost as if I had summoned them, Dalton and Zachary appeared before me, walking down the winding staircase in the entrance hall. They were both a few inches taller than me post-phase and they were lean but muscular. Dalton Drakes, my future Beta, was pale as the moon with hooded grey eyes, sharp cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His hair was shoulder-length like mine but his was a medium ash brown. Zachary Stronghold, my future Gamma, was blue eyed, olive skinned and black haired just like me but he kept his hair cut short. People thought we were brothers sometimes or at least cousins but I was an only child and I liked it that way. Although, I was outgoing, I did enjoy my alone time on occasion. Both guys grinned wolfishly at me. Pun intended. I saw them flicker their eye colours momentarily from blue and grey respectively to the pitch black of their inner wolves.<br /> “Awesome,” I said, not able to hide my jealousy. They both burst into raucous laughter. A group of junior human girls nearby giggled and whispered excitedly, eyeing the three of us. We were well-liked at school. Dalton raised as eyebrows at the girls, smirking at him. They squealed and ran off in a fit of giggles. Okay. Well-liked was an understatement. The Pack Members especially if they held special positions were the heartthrobs of the school and their respective mates were the envy of every girl. I grumbled to myself. Dalton and Zachary had both found their mates right after they phased. I had yet to find mine. It was not possible to know with any real certainty who your mate was until you had phased the first time. After that, your inner wolf could communicate with you and your eyes would be opened to who she was. She could be right under my nose and I would not even know because I had yet to phase.<br /> The doors of the entrance hall burst open before Dalton and Zachary could respond. They did not even flinch. They had probably heard the person approaching even through the rain and thunder with their heightened senses, another benefit post-phase. I turned away from them to look at her. I knew who it was before I turned though. I knew that smell anywhere. She always smelled like a meadow brimming over with flowers to me. I knew I should not take so much notice of her. She was the Maiden of Witches after all and I as the future Alpha should have kept my distance but I could not help myself for some reason. She was a feast for my senses. Her dark brown curls were tousled from the wind and the rain. I loved the way she looked, the way she smelled, the sound of her voice - high-pitched and melodious. She spoke so infrequently so it was a treat for me whenever I got to hear her speak in class. We had never spoken directly. I had never reached her but I assumed her golden skin would soft and smooth. That left one final fifth sense. Taste. I looked at her small doll-like mouth. I tried to snap out of it. I knew the guys were smirking at me knowingly.<br /> Mere moments after she entered the entrance hall, she slipped on the wet floor. She was several feet away but I was there in a flash. I caught her, my hands gripping her outstretched arms. I was right. Her skin was soft and smooth. It was cool to the reach compared to my warm skin. The look of panic in her eyes was replaced by one of confusion. She looked up at me. She could not be more than five feet and four, maybe five inches. She took a step back breaking the contact between us. I felt a bit disappointed but this was the first time our eyes had met so I perked up again. Her amber eyes looked like a warm brown in this dim light. She seemed stunned for some reason.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> It was him. I felt his strong, large hands grasp my arms to prevent me from falling. It was effortless for him. He supported my weight like I was a rag doll. Noticing our height difference, I was a doll to him. He towered over me. I needed to take a step back just to be able to meet his eyes without awkwardly craning me. I drank him in with my eyes. He was gorgeous, broad-shouldered and lean with muscles even though he was yet to phase. Everyone in the school was aware of the future Alpha’s approaching eighteenth birthday. A new Alpha was a big deal for the entire town. Even the haughtiest of witches were aware of him. My amber eyes met his blue ones. They seemed to soften as he looked me over. We had never really acknowledged each other like this before. I wondered what he thought of me. He was probably shocked at how clumsy and quiet I was for the Maiden of the Ambrosia Witch Coven. I had turned eighteen during the vacation before senior year. My eighteenth birthday was not a big deal. I had become the Maiden officially since my thirteenth birthday. Witches got their powers much earlier.<br /> “Sorry,” I managed to make myself say. “The floor is a bit wet.” I paused, trying to think of something more to say. I broke eye contact and stared down at my wet, muddy boots and then I looked at his pristine boots. How did he manage to keep so dry in this rain? Was he faster than the raindrops or something? Good grief.<br /> “Don’t apologise, Jamie,” he said politely, he turned his back on me and returned to his friends, the future Beta and Gamma, who were both giving me weird looks. I squirmed under the heat of their gaze. I was embarrassed at how quickly he turned his attention away from me, like I was nothing. I was meant to lead the Coven just as he was meant to lead his Pack. My parents sometimes met with his parents at Ambrosia’s Hall of Justice along with the human Mayor and his wife. However, he and I did not attend those meetings. The Jaded Family and the Gold Family had to be courteous with each other. Courteous but not friendly. Lines were drawn in the sand. Witches and Werewolves did not get friendly so he was not behaving unusually but I wanted more for some reason.<br /> “Wait!” I exclaimed like a complete naive guy. Even Dalton and Zachary were startled by my outburst and nothing startles them. Jesse stopped in his tracks and turned towards me again.<br /> “Um, yeah,” he murmured, his eyes filled with surprise and something else. Was that hope in his eyes? What was he hoping for?<br /> “Thank you,” I said. I literally bowed with a flourish of my hand before I realised how ridiculous that must look. I cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me? Dalton and Zachery seemed to share my sentiments. They looked at me as if I had grown a second head and a literal third eye. Then, they began to fidget. I could tell they were trying hard not to laugh. Even if they thought me strange, they were not bold enough to laugh at a future High Witch. I knew werewolves felt witches could turn on someone at any moment. They feared our magic and we feared their strength.<br /> Jesse’s face broke into a huge grin. He chuckled. Dalton and Zachary looked at him, mouths agape. They were shocked at how openly he had laughed. He was about to shock them further. He bowed deeply and with a flourish of his hand said, “You’re most welcome.” He straightened up and laughed wholeheartedly. He was making fun of me but it did not seem mean-spirited.<br /> In spite of myself, I smiled, returning his now intense gaze. He bit him.He bent towards me so that our noses were mere inches apart. He extended a hand and reached one of my curls, tucking it behind my ear. This gave me chills. The good kind. He lent in even nearr until his mouth was so near to my ear that I could feel his hot breath, “Be careful next time, my little witch.”<br /> After that, he and his friends disappeared like nothing earth shattering had just happened and I remained standing there spell-struck until the bell rang.<br /> Part 1: A Storm at School<br /> Chapter 3: Her Big Bad Wolf<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> Even though I had left her in the entrance hall, my mind was with her still. I did not know what had come over me. Her little half-bow and thank you were so cute. It made something inside of my torso burn. I wanted to reach her. Somehow. I made myself leave before I did anything even dumber. I was not allowed to entertain this. My parents would be horrified if they knew I had a liking for that little witch. Not just any witch, I reminded myself. The Maiden of Witches. The future Mother of her Coven once she was matched with someone. Witches did not have definite, fate-chosen mates like we werewolves did. They had some witchy ceremony in which they “matched” with someone. This happened once every year and the “matching” was covertly decided by their parents and revealed to the respective witch and wizard at the ceremony. I did not know anymore than that. Just that it was not anything like the true love we had with our mates. It was basically an arranged marriage cooked up by the parents of the bride and groom. They decided who their kids could and could not marry. We wolves let fate decide. Witches could even divorce. Wolves mated for life. We did not need divorce. The mate bond was so unbreakable. I had never actually heard of anyone resisting the bond successfully. Why would anyone want to? To be with your mate was bliss, a heaven on earth so to speak.<br /> Dalton and Zachary sat to my left. There were three people per bench in the high-ceilinged classroom. The roof was dome-shaped. The dome was made of glass. Not stein glass like the windows. Clear so we could see the rain make rivers down the sides of the dome as the lightning zigzagged across the sky. Amid the thunder, Zachary chastised me.<br /> “What was that? What do you think you are doing?” He spat.<br /> “Reading this textbook,” I said innocently as I leafed through Charmed and Dangerous, one of the senior textbooks for our Magic Class. Ambrosia High curriculum matched the diversity of its students. We studied magic as well as lupine smurders and even human subjects like mathematics. Just because I had super speed and strength did not mean I got away from learning calculus.<br /> Zachary sighed. “Look. I know you have a thing for that little witch. You’re my future alpha and I respect you but I can’t sit by while you actually entertain the thought of fraternising with her. She’s the Maiden of Witches. What if she puts a spell on you? What will happen to the pack?”<br /> “Do you think our future alpha is not strong enough to fight off a spell,” countered Dalton, surprising me by taking my side. Werewolves were about ten times harder to spellbind than humans. It was possible but the stronger the wolf, the stronger the immunity and I was to be Alpha, strongest of the strong.<br /> Zachery smirked. “She’s the Maiden so she’s got powerful magic but she won’t even need it. I see the way he looks at her. He’s under her spell all right. She did not even need to cast it.”<br /> My face flushed. I buried my head in the book. Was it that obvious? She was cute. I was a man still. She was a woman. Werewolves and Witches acted like they we did not have anything in common. I knew a few Werewolves who had hooked up with Witches. They moved on when they found their true mates of course and the witches went their merry way after their matching ceremony. Relationships like that had to be kept under wraps but we all knew of them. He was right though. What was the point of flirting with her? My birthday was Friday and today was Monday. In a couple of days, I would phase and my inner wolf would show me my mate. I had no inkling of who it was though and this worried me. Dalton and Zachery both had crushed on the girls they ended up being mated to even before they phased. Wolves usually felt a natural attraction to their mate before phasing. There was always a high chance your current girlfriend or crush was your future mate when you were a wolf. Every she-wolf that was unmated and every available human girl had their eyes on me but none of them drew me in. It was not like I had a thing for witches either. I did not know the name of a single witch at school besides Jamie.<br /> She entered the classroom just then. The thunder seemed to grow louder and the lightning brighter. The rain was falling in sheets now. Was she responsible for this? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Witches always got blamed for everything. I did not want to be like that. There had been witch hunts in Ambrosia centuries ago before the treaty. She kept her gaze on the floor as she walked in. Whispers greeted her entrance. She was nearing my bench. Humans and Witches craned them to look at her. The humans regarded her with fear and the witches, with respect. The wolves pretended to take no notice but I could feel them collectively stiffen. My heart went out to her. She must be so lonely. Everyone was the opposite with me, warm and welcoming. The classroom was chilly. She hugged herself to keep warm. My little witch. I would keep you warm. I silently cursed myself. What had gotten into me? It felt like I was even crazier about her this school year. I thought my feelings would fade as I got nearr to my phasing but they were growing. She sat in the only empty seat left which was directly behind me. I stiffened. Dalton smirked. He was amused. Perhaps, Dalton was less annoyed than Zachary because Dalton’s mate was human. Wolves could be mated to humans. It was not common but it did occur naturally and was accepted. The human would not get any special powers but would be granted with immortality when marked and mated by the wolf who was bonded to them. The gift of immortality could only be bestowed upon a human mate by his or her wolf mate. We were not able to hand this out freely. Otherwise, every rich human would have bribed their way to immortality by now.<br /> The bench Jamie was at was empty but the two other seats had backpacks placed on them. Dalton and Zachery were saving those two seats for their mates. Chloe Harper and Zoe Vale walked in and my boys’ faces lit up like children on Christmas morning. I grinned in spite of myself. It was always funny to see how much these big bad wolves softened when their mates were around. Both girls were around Jamie’s height. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Jamie? Chloe had wavy light blonde hair down to her mid-back, alabaster skin, and astonishingly blue eyes. Zoe had a caramel complexion with big brown eyes and ebony curls. Both girls were movie-star beautiful. Chloe was a she-wolf and Zoe was human. Zachary pulled Chloe into<br /> <br /> ***Adult Content. Find more by downloading****<br /> <br /> Sometimes, it was torture being around the guys and their mates when I had no one yet. Both Chloe and Zoe had been marked and mated. Zoe had been gifted with immortality by Dalton. She was still human but now she could remain young and unchanged like Dalton indefinitely. Wolves could not stand to lose their mate once they’ve already found them so human mates had to become immortal. Otherwise, their wolves would suffer the rest of eternity alone once the humans aged and died. Dalton still treated Zoe as though she were made of glass despite her newfound immortality. He was now gently pulling on one of her curls and watching it spring back into place. I suddenly wanted to reach one of Jamie’s curls again. I looked back at her before I could stop myself and Dalton and Zachery were too absorbed with their mates to notice.<br /> Jamie met my eyes again. I smiled. That was when it happened.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> When the bell rang, I scurried down the hallway and into my first class according to my senior year schedule. I was not expecting all three of those wolves to be in my class. I tried my hardest not to look at Jesse or his friends, keeping my eyes down. I walked up the stairs. The class was built like a theatre with each bench a step higher than the next. There were three chairs per bench. Only the back bench still had room. It was a full class. I sat directly behind Jesse. The other two chairs had backpacks on them. He was probably creeped out by me. All the classmates besides the wolves were whispering about me. My stomach was in knots. The rain became heavier and the thunder roared. The lightning illuminated the dim dome again and again. I was wringing my handkerchief nervously between my hands. The whispers seemed to intensify and the stares became more blatant. They were enjoying the show. The Maiden Witch was sitting behind the Alpha Wolf. Chloe Harper, a blonde, pale she-wolf, and Zoe Vale, a caramel complected human with jet-black curls, walked in. Oh no! These two seats beside me were being saved for the mates of the Beta and Gamma. Zoe was Beta Dalton’s human mate. She had recently become immortal. Chloe was the mate of Gamma Zachery. I was relieved when both girls ended up in the laps of their mates instead of next to me. I knew they would have to stop the PDA and sit in their seats when the teacher came but at least then class would be in session and I would not have to sit in awkward silence among wolves. I watched Chloe and Zoe both getting cuddled in the middle of class. Wolves were so open with their love. I usually found it inappropriate but today I felt something else. I felt envy. Jessie was as still as if he had been turned to stone but I knew he was aware of everything. I was reminded of Jessie reaching my hair earlier. I turned instinctively to look at his back only to find that he had turned around. Our eyes met. I wish I were on him. He would find his mate Friday and it could not be me. I was a witch. It could be a she-wolf or even a human but not me. That was the first time I let myself think about was his birthday really meant. By next Monday, I would be in this same class watching him k and his mate on him. I had not exactly admitted that so plainly to myself before. Something inside me snapped as the realisation hit me. He would not look back at me like this next Monday. He would only have eyes for her, whomever she was. I screamed inwardly and it happened. I really did not mean to do it. I should have known better as the Maiden of Witches. My essence lashed out of its own accord. As a witch, one should always remain calm but I was having a panic attack and the storm raged reaching a crescendo. The rain was so heavy it was as loud as the thunder. I heard a cracking sound. Everyone looked up. The glass dome had a crack in it. The crack widened making a sickening sound and all the students wisely started running out of the classroom. All except me. I stood there staring at the widening crack watching the glass dome split apart. I was trying to calm myself. The Beta and Gamma practically carried their mates out of the room. The Alpha would be obsessed with his mate’s safety by next week. My blood boiled. I saw red. The glass shattered. I heard a gasp. Jesse was still in the room. How had I not noticed that? I screamed not for myself but for him. I could no longer stop the glass from crashing over him.<br /> <br /> Jesse’s POV<br /> The glass dome had a crack in it. Everyone panicked. My Beta and Gamma took their mates to safety. Everyone but Jamie and I had left the room. I glared at her. Was she doing this? Was she insane? Even if this was her doing, why was she not getting herself to safety? I though about just scooping her up like my friends had done with their mates. That might terrify her momentarily but would keep her safe. Unfortunately, there was no time left. The glass shattered. Jamie screamed. My body reacted. In a flash, I had her in my arms. There was not enough time to exit before the glass fell but I was able to shield her body with mine as I pulled both of us under a bench for cover.<br /> <br /> Jamie’s POV<br /> Jesse flew into action. One moment he was standing staring upwards, the next he was holding me and pulling me under a bench. Good idea. I had a better one. I cast a forcefield with my magic over the bench we were under so all the falling shards of glass just bounced off of it. We were left completely unscathed. After the downpour of glass, I had to drop the forcefield because I was exhausted from all the magic I had just expended unintentionally and then intentionally. We began to get wet in the rain which now fell freely into the roof-less classroom. The bench provided some shelter but the rain was still very heavy. Jessie had me cradled in his arms holding me from behind, his body covering mine. He sat under the bench and spun me around to face him. We were nose to nose cramped under the bench. The realisation that he had just put himself in harm’s way for me hit me. It seemed the realisation that I had shielded both of us with magic hit him because he was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed impressed.<br /> “Good job, my little witch,” he almost purred. “You can handle yourself.” He sounded so proud.<br /> I beamed at him. “Thanks my big bad wolf,” I said, laughing.<br /> Jamie looked astonished at my nickname for him. His face broke into a grin again. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. He was so warm. His body felt so strong. He could break every bone in my body but he held me so delicately. I put my arms around him, nuzzling into him. Why was I trying to break my own heart now? This could not continue. But it did. My body felt like it had caught on fire. Goosebumps sprang up all over my body. Shivers ran through me. This was getting out of hand and I was thoroughly enjoying every second of it. Another storm was brewing. This one was not just in Ambrosia or at school. This storm was inside me.<br /> Part 2: An Ill-advised Invitation<br /> Chapter 4: His Mere Mortal<br /> <br /> Dalton’s POV<br /> I wrapped my arms protectively around Zoe. She was my everything. From the time I first phased and realised that Zoe was truly my mate, I vowed to protect her always. She leaned into me, nuzzling her little head into my shirt. Everyone from the class had congregated in the entrance hall after fleeing the dome classroom. The sound of glass shattering made my heart wrench. I sniffed the air. Jessie was missing, and so was Jamie. I immediately deduced what must have happened. This was Jamie’s storm. I doubted she purposefully conjured it but Jessie must have stayed back to help her in some way. Jessie was my future alpha and as his future beta, I had to check on him. Some glass could not take an alpha out but still, I had to check. I reluctantly released Zoe. She began to protest, but I gave her a firm look. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent.<br /> I ran into the hallway. Glass was strewn everywhere and light and rainwater filled the hallway. I ran to the dome classroom. The dome was gone. Shattered. That explained all the glass and the light streaming in and the rainwater gushing everywhere. I carefully stepped over mounds of glass, searching for Jamie and Jessie. I spotted them under a bench. I smirked. I could smell both Jessie’s and Jamie’s scent. I had never told Jessie or Zachery this but I had started a relationship with Zoe long before she officially became my mate. I knew she would be. Wolves were often inexplicably drawn to their mates before they phased and knew with certainty. Zoe and I would sneak around, I grinned to myself at the memories. She was a mere mortal back then. My mere mortal. She was never afraid of me, a powerful future Beta and the most feared Pack. When I finally phased and could officially reveal her as my mate, I granted her immortality. She would always be delicate in my eyes though.<br /> “What are you two up to?” I drawled, not able to hide my grin.<br /> Jessie and Jamie broke apart. Jessie was quickly on his feet. Jamie struggled a bit. Good grief she was clumsy, I thought to myself. Jessie extended his hand and pulled Jamie to her feet. He did not know his own strength and the little witch slipped and fell right into his arms. I broke into raucous laughter, until my future alpha silenced me with a look. I kept my smirk though. Jessie lifted Jamie into his arms and carried her away from the broken glass, down the hallway and into an empty classroom with a regular ceiling. I followed behind them.<br /> “You guys looked cosy. I wish I hadn’t interrupted,” I lied. I had no choice but to seek out my best friend and future alpha. Jessie grunted at me and stalked off, leaving Jamie looking forlorn. The door swung shut behind Jessie. I regarded Jamie.<br /> “Aren’t you going to leave too?” She asked, her eyes wide.<br /> “No,” I said simply. She reminded me so much of my Zoe sometimes. I had to get back to my Zoe but I had something up my sleeve first.<br /> “I have a special gift for you, little witch,” I said, revealing a gold envelope I had stashed in my pants’ pocket.<br /> Jamie’s eyes widened even more. I snickered. She looked at me like I was crazy but hesitantly took the envelope.<br /> “Open it,” I said.<br /> “What is it?” She asked.<br /> “An invitation,” I bowed as she had done earlier that day to Jessie and flourished my hands. She immediately recognised me mocking her and scowled but opened the envelope.<br /> The gold envelope contained white parchment with gold curly script that read:<br /> You have hereby been cordially invited to the Eighteenth Birthday of the Jessie Gold, Future Alpha of the Ambrosia Wolf Pack. The ceremony will be held this Friday, from 7pm to midnight. Jessie will phase at 11:11pm the time of his birth, officially becoming the new alpha. We hope you will be there to congratulate and welcome your new alpha.<br /> Dress Code: Formal, no exceptions<br /> <br /> Jamie’s eyes were like two saucers now. She was shocked.<br /> “You’re inviting me?” She asked incredulously.<br /> “Yeah,” I said simply, “Jessie’s gonna love to see you in a ballgown. He’ll think I’m the best Beta there is.”<br /> I chuckled to myself.<br /> “Yeah, um, and then he’ll phase and fall in love with his real mate,” whined Jamie.<br /> I laughed. She looked at me like I was heartless.<br /> “I have my reasons and I’m never wrong. I’m a really special wolf you know. My intuition is…” I paused for dramatic effect, “…magical.”<br /> I left Jamie, still clutching the invitation in shock. I hurried back to the entrance hall.<br /> “Class has been cancelled for the rest of the day!” Squealed my Zoe, flinging herself into my arms. The school administration needed all these wolves, witches and humans gone to clean up the mess Jessie’s little witch girlfriend made.<br /> “Why did you stay behind?” Asked Jessie, regarding me with suspicion.<br /> “I felt bad for Jamie,” I said. It was not a lie. I was not able to actually lie to my future alpha as his beta. “I thought I’d talk to her a bit.”<br /> Zoe looked up at me from under her long dark lashes with a knowing smile. I smirked. My little human knew me so well. She and I were on the party planning committee for the alpha’s ceremony. It was one of my endless duties as future beta, and naturally my mate assisted. Zachery, the future gamma, was none the wiser. He was helping plan the party to along with his mate, she-wolf Chloe, but they constantly missed meetings to go make out and who knows what else.<br /> “Let’s go to the mall,” came Chloe’s serene voice. She was always calm. The whole of Ambrosia could be in chaos and Chloe would be cool as a cucumber. The only person that could make that she-wolf feel anything was her mate Zachery.<br /> “Yes, I love the mall. Nothing is better than standing around while Zoe spends my money,” I tested. Zoe playfully hit me but we piled into three cars. Zoe and I in my car. Chloe and Zachery in Zachery’ car and poor Jessie by himself. Not for long, I thought.<br /> Once we were alone, driving through the slowly subsiding rain, Zoe and I exchanged conspiratorially glances.<br /> “If I am a good guesser,” started Zoe.<br /> “You’re the good-est,” I said. She really was the best at guessing my plans.<br /> “Then a certain witch will be at the werewolf ceremony,” she mused.<br /> “You don’t say,” I said in mock surprise. I parked the car and neard the short distance between us. I pulled her into me. She straddled me. I grinned.<br /> A sharp knock on the window glass startled us. I let the window down to reveal a smirking Jessie.<br /> “Let’s go, lovebirds,” my future alpha ordered.<br /> ...<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | Dreame for DL3 | 8642 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56298 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 10:18 AM | 1703105778 | 1745075908 | 65 | 1356737398289078 | 6 | 3.7523690827598E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201882303600476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856344 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983980_7104104022944216_2595737633573786845_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PhRCbEWsUoUAX9Nq_d0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCM0Zrpm1EBOGSVTPnF97cF0EB9UFA7Ov0dzNXjqGuzbA&oe=6588DDC5 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408030942_265000116574994_8642012297430331363_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dZ0W3uuRVb8AX-HP3qC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAlDnqyT6xOtuBKM5XpefR05oBLOu_N7QaJrpBBydbGfg&oe=65889EEA | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56606 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 7:19 PM | 1703105782 | 1748132392 | 65 | 639977051431224 | 2 | 1.4427700929366E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715934550115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140269 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404677721_1363356901276034_6161332146090626020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GNVizCkdH00AX-oBYCw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfASjmNnZ1boOtlk7OWLf_kr8UlMhgOhjHkosrYFxv8gCA&oe=6588CFD6 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404662494_877103120476573_5451417641774691699_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rT0GB8W15WQAX_yZvOU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMzpdKelaOwXp3PnyYA5KDqAU9YOk_Uf7NJMXVpVcGhQ&oe=65879665 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56035 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 11:31 AM | 1703105776 | 1745080269 | 65 | 1857404828025684 | 1 | 8.7617162728508E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107449048746571 | 0 | OPlaneta | 120202789200340635 | oplaneta.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.oplaneta.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702292995 | 1.0744904874657E+14 | OPlaneta | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410260693_682642797289358_1798363420348183220_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4KrZSN7C_DsAX_Sbqmf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKpFCdjTdmve3lGFJvpdUjrJHocwxzbWh3KGJoNS25Fg&oe=65886722 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | OPlaneta | 54 | https://facebook.com/100084698892404 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55238 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/30/25, 1:56 AM | 1703105768 | 1738202160 | 65 | 724689752591408 | 1 | 2.1041450203970E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1557901304441461 | 0 | Joanna Buchanan | 6537950188148 | joannabuchanan.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannabuchanan.com/collections/holiday-tabletop | 1702493591 | 1.5579013044415E+15 | Joanna Buchanan | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409720308_385351977163901_1630728005167430099_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lOllHB3YfRAAX866yNe&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD_KhCp3DQAtoWTrsPx-Svk6U9SCqVrwZI8mB86HsNvQw&oe=65888299 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA BUCHANAN Home Décor | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409213752_746379454002126_4794074198350611392_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y8CciKs1oiIAX-2CD5l&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBNpWiIbs8IU6hywWDJEFV_vaka2SXsLZ2C0loMTanBQw&oe=65876310 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Buchanan | 1844 | https://facebook.com/joannabuchananofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55410 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 8/30/24, 9:41 AM | 1703105769 | 1725028915 | 65 | 2388249951346631 | 1 | 7.4365014045954E+14 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 103736708098235 | 0 | lalunawisdom | 120203637587970365 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/lalunawisdom | 1702922413 | 1.0373670809824E+14 | lalunawisdom | https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/259785734_293516459317714_5958251856210211944_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=d_lK2j5Qc3cAX-I_wXe&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDU2IYFd88HzKHNQKVIR1JqVcOQQPtWzrNtCiNB0q6wog&oe=6588BB6A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna | Yoga Living | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412345828_708220587918560_1096743057556445875_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oOk2hCMs0YUAX_cdYAX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCm-6DTSCjAK4tdWk6OaUPlP3V5tsDNGfxZafdOBwru9Q&oe=6587D8AE | 0 | 3 | Our relationship with the Universe is the synergy between our intentions, our efforts, dedication, and devotion, along with pure trust… DON’T DOUBT IT, TRUST IT! ✨<br /> <br /> And this 👆🏼 is Universal Truth!<br /> <br /> I can’t explain the level of Gratitude I am experiencing today! I can only feel it! ✨ <br /> <br /> I CAN ONLY FEEL IT! <br /> Gratitude for my life, selfless wishes and all my love for anyone experiencing the opposite. <br /> <br /> I love Humanity! And I’m grateful for Spirituality! ♥️<br /> <br /> Share this with someone who needs to TRUST!<br /> <br /> From my light to yours,<br /> Joanna<br /> <br /> #spirituality #gratitudepractice #trust #selfless #trusttheprocess #trusttheuniverse #trustthejourney #sharejoy #happiness #truth #universaltruth | lalunawisdom | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/lalunawisdom | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55796 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 2:07 PM | 1703105773 | 1745089651 | 65 | 373642611745807 | 1 | 1.3907338118761E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109154754712420 | 0 | Invity | 120201021449260369 | myinvity.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Invity | https://myinvity.com/youth-activating-exfoliating-serum/ | 1698657507 | 1.0915475471242E+14 | Invity | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/397188932_714781350522166_6225402856130364106_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=78p-ZgcnA44AX-uInur&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB8n1-4xWaioqVBE_EyY1-3S19zAHSFq333dFDQx9W_jA&oe=6587714B | person_profile | 0 | INVITY | Anti-Ageing Skincare & Supplements | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/397218129_888832669329311_3496451608295055220_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mUe3OlIX6NAAX_DsSSh&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBJPdXDKgWYFQ8BkDSdJwn8-XPZDSTmibC9wqYSmeoJUQ&oe=6587862E | 0 | 3 | Tired of endless skincare routines? Meet our leave-on exfoliating serum, carefully crafted with the power of nature and science. <br /> <br /> • Say goodbye to dull skin! Our serum provides long-term exfoliation, unveiling a clearer and brighter you.<br /> • Banish excess shine! We've got sebum production under control and those pesky pores unclogged.<br /> • Texture trouble? No more! Our serum leaves your skin smoother and prepped for all your favorite skincare products.<br /> <br /> Elevate your skincare game and glow like never before. Your dream complexion is just a serum away. Try it today! | Invity | 4460 | https://facebook.com/myinvity | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55464 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 3:42 AM | 1703105770 | 1731123720 | 65 | 748138220496604 | 1 | 1.382723712682E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102957022779995 | 0 | Floridian Spring Water | 120202856793550442 | drinkfloridian.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.drinkfloridian.com/ | 1702857199 | 1.0295702278E+14 | Floridian Spring Water | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410032121_1043164400345580_3685247044616712186_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nXXl9LwRRyAAX8Ale6l&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA42dnI1WEsVMG95vFA-JslVP6ZTcD5ldMjC62h2QY6wg&oe=65879895 | person_profile | 0 | Floridian Spring Water | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409989123_1827947920968541_3505876487139180588_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rd6FdEKk3fEAX81qoOR&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC4tJoAkgNxJZsHgYNdYT7IE3VE6_7fXU9YBekUesQcfw&oe=6587E133 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Floridian Spring Water | 25 | https://facebook.com/drinkfloridian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55804 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/8/24, 11:29 PM | 1703105773 | 1731130168 | 65 | 2209526515909608 | 2 | 8.9160938549781E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207801011670456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702463068 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409716907_1442778019643833_6121016972296907751_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=meL9cma-PrUAX8ZagJC&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC4d50d1b-rp4i9Aon2fAC_Y6C1y8ZJ2ua3y8tXvqkk9g&oe=658848D4 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56866 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 3:56 PM | 1703105785 | 1745096213 | 65 | 807863411137145 | 1 | 3.6505280258069E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1841047772792583 | 0 | Department of Motion Pictures | 6457031661115 | Sign up | NONE | image | '32 SOUNDS' AT VIDIOTS | 1700720824 | 1.8410477727926E+15 | Department of Motion Pictures | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403071963_1029231098293577_4545464461395644514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gz4_EnMyUAoAX-DeYkV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBIPtIpkiTWauMTH6Bv2zo5kSbiA7M9zcLy4s1LJbyMPw&oe=658779BC | person_profile | 0 | Department Of Motion Pictures | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402928264_887892029146057_5712494867266186386_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G0I0mbwdokEAX8xibo6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCb0spXTy973pspu9UqZbL5ev4a-zCeK2o9CvoezF3x6g&oe=65888D45 | 0 | 3 | SPECIAL VIDIOTS / LOS ANGELES SCREENING - Critically-acclaimed '32 SOUNDS' 🎧 from Oscar nominated director Sam Green and Oscar nominated producer Josh Penn.<br /> <br /> This immersive documentary feature, which debuted at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, explores sound, from foley to experimental music to the natural world, and its power to bend time, cross borders, and profoundly shape our perception of the world around us. A surprisingly emotional celebration of this often overlooked but crucial aspect of cinema.<br /> <br /> Nominated for 2 Critics Choice Documentary Awards and on the Cinema Eye Honors Audience Award Longlist. Plus: Variety, IndieWire, and Awards Watch have all predicted it to be a leading film awards contender. | Department of Motion Pictures | 1097 | https://facebook.com/thedofmp | 0 | SIGN_UP | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56709 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 5:19 PM | 1703105783 | 1745101150 | 65 | 3440943419549272 | 1 | 7.1289167036097E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201674070810115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700969843 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403682765_1545605436203135_2409194134508637417_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mxEtSydeP_QAX_HCA8F&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDD68vPllXC2jQJD1Xh2QVkQ9nCv_i9uYUxsB7z-KxqUg&oe=6587EBDB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403686301_1045555233153359_7766604265251144940_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9avFtun3qzgAX8cudTs&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAj7y3x3tE6X5chUMZlxzuCO8UxB1OjYYGgtgtHCPGw4Q&oe=6588B677 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56006 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/27/25, 6:28 AM | 1703105775 | 1740659291 | 65 | 370821722086269 | 1 | 8.5330495319101E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 113840200491489 | 0 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 6541570469903 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | https://www.instagram.com/_u/dearjoannaa | 1702324920 | 1.1384020049149E+14 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | person_profile | 0 | joanna tam | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408970000_907940224088927_4779766478556316349_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3eC7fF_rB2UAX_ALoQq&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC2R8damZX97LFrsgm8vujay445K6ckKBgwOsYtMoSKLQ&oe=6588951B | 0 | 3 | more dates like this, please 🫖 | 𝙹𝚘𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 | 0 | https://facebook.com/100080768289817 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55251 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/30/25, 4:56 AM | 1703105768 | 1738212963 | 65 | 218809234405209 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 130264507048538 | 0 | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | 120201148334870651 | fb.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Design your own Mila Heart pendant | https://fb.com/canvas_doc/708478424476343 | 1697552525 | 1.3026450704854E+14 | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393302771_646013540733024_2027630553118344808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uuEP4FOZGcoAX-TmqmL&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAtkNyROieQx7IqzBfSL_uII9o5Jl2OnAq_OYLVm3OZOw&oe=6588B53E | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA DAHDAH - Fine Jewellery | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391668000_845889053695334_8476051294554238196_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xy7QyWwmLeMAX8moDc7&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5dPwYwbAy8sx1ScYSMkIK4eV9_f6-bDUVEvvXph1z9Q&oe=658913DC | 0 | 3 | Introducing the MILA HEART pendant, the jewelry piece that captures the essence of who you are. Design your own version of the Mila Heart pendant and make a statement that reflects your personality.<br /> <br /> #MilaHeart #CustomJewelry | Joanna Dahdah's Jewellery Store | 2428 | https://facebook.com/joannadahdah | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1697698800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55665 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/11/25, 12:11 AM | 1703105772 | 1749618672 | 65 | 7367929599893413 | 1 | 8.768652541569E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203186295040102 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611812 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409733526_1469175280608335_6702688396573453758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sBhZeYdDVTkAX-hoZqi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCDJhMLzgNL2O0dQ6RtYT_qnhEaOKJNKwV1OsfKmNyaAg&oe=6588318E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56661 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 1:55 AM | 1703105783 | 1751439304 | 65 | 1780867335690475 | 1 | 8.8834834954001E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281156770596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068514 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406308593_236942165909202_2121659490068076760_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HsatiQ7xt5kAX8x1zEH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCGIU9-ZgQcDLGvFnn0bQ0nBT_W3j1UF4UhBg5_QrfhpA&oe=65884FD0 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406238031_1419491742243339_4924496276233847866_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4UkWLP4rD70AX-0Ejsw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB7CDbObTC11R_nSGfVLMmCCy6CREofZ3VfILbOAT-ulA&oe=65879E2D | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56776 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/25/25, 1:25 AM | 1703105784 | 1748154328 | 65 | 868490128142187 | 1 | 2.5521788421642E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220429200404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582688 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402930526_787946343143875_7546869889199930748_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EtvAh7LCkZUAX-gp_Lz&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAsoBfA_SrIIGn_EpLXZXjGLDK2Q1VXzdyuY9pHHahOVA&oe=65881AA3 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402941760_311780515000658_6484485291177029078_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=VDMggadMciUAX9Czub7&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhrwMk6nDO2a58pNwJa6LwEuAyTbOf4xlfDNU3uU-vmQ&oe=65889631 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56978 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 5:46 AM | 1703105786 | 1747565193 | 65 | 1450821539179695 | 5 | 1.0051758140478E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779083570250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678135 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405259946_862600855406763_4157166056653863836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6gXCaL0aLqsAX_atUFx&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBRx7e_AVVaPFdZNnvn90puiRev1WpsGU5hP45uSmqM3Q&oe=6588EBFA | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55585 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 10:39 AM | 1703105771 | 1746718760 | 65 | 1736268750194844 | 1 | 7.4017377749113E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011728200506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636929 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409881284_380261847799805_8973032620658038635_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iS0JMWfXjpUAX_536l2&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCtzSqbX6q5H4ar4S7CR7_HHNn0BcZ4lPiukp9_MfxbTw&oe=6587D6CE | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409849019_687927656776958_6652444255153192486_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lg4sxAxXF24AX9qMe8k&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfC9pxQ2qAqA6EUkB99G73KC64uHUPeBWrXqQgOHxN5K8Q&oe=65882525 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55541 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/24/24, 2:23 AM | 1703105771 | 1735028621 | 65 | 872171444450520 | 1 | 4.4852295996646E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 199865376712161 | 0 | Daniel Kinkade Art Consultation | 6555846492632 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/danielkinkadefineart | 1702657305 | 1.9986537671216E+14 | Daniel Kinkade Art Consultation | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409845327_373491221871250_1893689755141386283_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FvJihV3Ky3IAX8CElU_&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAvc3_jWv3nL02tvYtITEjQmtC0fINI5ztO2DGDT89V8g&oe=658771BC | person_profile | 0 | Daniel Kinkade | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409891385_806946264452147_3796919134658007288_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P0_tTXrfKG4AX_-DsEt&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA_NYLFuE2V69c48-MIfxXcyjKloALnlPlQqzvAJtLGzA&oe=65878342 | 0 | 3 | How many shades of white can there be? The subtle hues captured in the fog, the reflection of rain on a window, or the steam coming off a hot summer sidewalk. The works of Joanna Cutri combine soft with grit, and compositions culminate in grace. DM for info. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FDANIELKINKADE.COM%2F&h=AT3Ro8J5_AJVAkaiO3Qdchyy0PVWkdl1zv-HnvT8HjPcGfOgyoNXX3oiBjQ8T67QGtpwy3AJU3IFdkd4ZMcBuSe8vh_a2SqIqNfMAp4pnRvliz3MROBG-9s3cCC8rZ1HAqScp9oV4fSaADkxtuu4Ug" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">DANIELKINKADE.COM</a> #ROCKYOURWALLS | Daniel Kinkade Art Consultation | 5889 | https://facebook.com/danielkinkadefineart | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56235 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 7:19 AM | 1703105778 | 1745583555 | 65 | 24365551489758907 | 2 | 3.4061387871021E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6585777583409 | joannavargas.com/booking | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/collections/new-york-facials/products/triple-crown-facial-1 | 1701966869 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408709722_320545190823840_5162978834132073208_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sa6IygOklc8AX8gsNsx&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCpT_SxGxPRg8Yqjox20V4jwqQpVkRLnYIluA0RKEXU2Q&oe=6588A53F | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408650546_161203730416914_5502720775113219097_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o-Wp-izqLHEAX-rRcXA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdVUsVcgrNbiGBAQACHyepMLKPdA7vlBidYXs5IkQEzA&oe=658934FB | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55378 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/10/25, 11:47 PM | 1703105769 | 1749617256 | 65 | 883111326823538 | 14 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-uowiz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3PwS8P5g67KttMFwNP07eOMpPk51aX9lyEkUzsvZgMQ&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56981 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 12:40 PM | 1703105786 | 1746726047 | 65 | 1755189778236299 | 6.8579776031172E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779358230250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678748 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404275079_681458767299748_350875266989297425_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0G9UJq-pK7UAX_qUGb_&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKKqa7FY-_-sx7-QbS9B7G-5FaObxqdCyGAzEagwEnhQ&oe=6588E8BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56228 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/30/25, 9:07 AM | 1703105778 | 1738249635 | 65 | 664139719078899 | 3 | 1.0508745226186E+15 | 1702281600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 109080568825640 | 0 | Family Store A1 | 120202020087690521 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1702008375 | 1.0908056882564E+14 | Family Store A1 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408782295_674016538134445_1504278512161745631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P9T-8fReN58AX-iBwqj&_nc_oc=AQnZBf48HXUjHVlQ5m9izWI8Ax7N9UwYOcuz8Nff0sV2VL5uZAOxX_10iowpYr8n00HdIh3IJd6qFdWD0sfq5apU&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDM6zFJnSw1tGSrtvniOGFjJNzo98dcXrckKBfJT748-w&oe=6587FBAE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT1x770kutd9BvjEppBnYR1FOEgqbepJscM-uhnmDXyrgMKjg6JkxmOFN-aBc0QIzCpqUAIjwQ246KOBoBfdLT6POaDvnPd0S-dZKu0AL4vlEt1TLC6dySFmnmSTAj5p_bqOLt31-hAHpTqa1Y-FDWPKGvWh-3VeG-MtgA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Store A1 | 34 | https://facebook.com/100091830608558 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55252 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686719 | 65 | 1026242441737566 | 1 | 6.6142060593153E+14 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859032284490562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości | Dla kobiet kochających, czułych, z sercem, dających z siebie za dużo które powtarzają te same niechciane historie w relacjach ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI Natychmiastowy i trwały sposób, aby ODKRYĆ I NA ZAWSZE POZBYĆ SIĘ bolesnych, trudnych, nieuświadomionych wzorców i schematów, ... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1694079943 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/375668016_324711660011526_4038100145956144720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EEfE1k2CeiIAX-3WV-Q&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPKbUKLQ7G3NHcu3LPQ5t56qroX17ofyfUHE7gKO2xXQ&oe=65885BC5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | ❤Jak rozpoznasz kiedy KOBIETA daje z siebie za dużo w relacji i brakuje jej miłości do siebie?<br /> Poznasz PO ZACHOWANIACH:<br /> <br /> 1. Z sercem i czująca dopasowuje swój czas i plany do jego preferencji.<br /> <br /> A te preferencje to często inne rzeczy ważniejsze niż ona.<br /> Ona, na ostatnim miejscu w kolejce.<br /> <br /> 2. Godzi się na jego zachowania, które są dla niej w rezultacie bolesne.<br /> I nie pasują jej do końca.<br /> <br /> Ale robi to, bo ma po prostu uczucia, zależy jej, chce dobrze.<br /> Do tego usprawiedliwia je, uzasadnia, aż kipi empatią. <br /> SWOIM KOSZTEM. W jej wyniku bardziej cierpi, czuje się wydrenowana z energii, zamiast spełniona i kochana. <br /> <br /> 3. Wydziera zdrowe i dobre zachowania prawie siłą.<br /> <br /> Czuje się, jakby stąpała po ruchomych piaskach.<br /> Im bardziej chce coś opanować, doprowadzić do normy, tym bardziej się zapada.<br /> <br /> 4. W większości ona bardziej chce, organizuje, myśli, wkłada wysiłek.<br /> <br /> A on bierze. Przyjmuje. Korzysta.<br /> <br /> 5. Świetnie potrafi go zrozumieć , dlaczego ON czegoś nie może, współczuje mu, ale siebie w tym nie widzi.<br /> A on nie podejmuje wyzwań, osiada na "laurach” i nic nie zmienia w sobie. <br /> <br /> 6. A do tego myśli o sobie “co ze mną jest nie tak “i stara się zmieniać,<br /> aby On ją chciał.<br /> <br /> 7. Tłumi swoje emocje, kiedy dociera do niej, że coś tu nie gra. Nie mówi wprost, co jej nie odpowiada. <br /> <br /> Czasem dlatego, że obawia się utraty tego co jest, czasem dlatego, że obawia się , że swoje oczekiwania uważa “ za zbyt… wygórowane, nierzeczywiste…<br /> <br /> 8. Analizuje co on mówi, przywiązuje się do słów. A nie widzi przepaści pomiędzy słowem a czynem. <br /> <br /> Robisz tak? <br /> Twoja to wina? <br /> Nie. <br /> I możesz to w sobie zrównoważyć, bez lęku, że wszystko co dobre będzie stracone. <br /> Zacznij tutaj, jeśli tego nie zrobiłaś. <br /> Dołącz do mini kursu z maxi efektami ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI. <br /> <br /> Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT1E3IMejiFpYRja-rHxSdlUqoP7gljVPAiguSba_1AmcmRcI-mAyzo2H1AWtx51CTK8mb8WQ0GqikqS6eLrzqE701ZDiADtnmb3xOqN_2Du9b4G3jqMBXSupB-bLh44QSkpV4xzgAg0Vvei5L8CyQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55411 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 5:55 PM | 1703105769 | 1742424905 | 65 | 346439858009485 | 1 | 6.8790828055399E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 287004635106159 | 0 | Tattoos by Joanna | 120202176400890527 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannatattoos | 1702921771 | 2.8700463510616E+14 | Tattoos by Joanna | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411465048_1948960398831318_2024252403919007744_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PD7GEGNVl7wAX-7suVg&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAt4ridjBq1ibXiHgrW9bTDpm-QvPSOqx9vsV23ThZCPg&oe=6588DF0C | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Gacek | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411412263_1011443929937265_428212988637182570_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v8u-lz58IqIAX8090vU&_nc_oc=AQlPaYEDDliGqilYzxZPKaxaitlkyPl2P22sWtta9_Yx-a9Ek1V1VegH5OJK8v8RZx8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDncAbmYQJ9mGZqeshX6Sv6s6taki7TGemqMQF8sMIISQ&oe=6587C761 | 0 | 3 | Still have some availability for beginning of January! Smaller or bigger projects are all welcome!<br /> <br /> •For NYC: booking end of January and February<br /> <br /> Dm or email BookJoannaTattoos@gmail.com<br /> <br /> @woodstocktattoostudio | Tattoos by Joanna | 203 | https://facebook.com/joannatattos | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56378 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/25/25, 4:02 PM | 1703105780 | 1748206927 | 65 | 310611011939923 | 7.1898332648333E+14 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202284853470275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666354 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407572944_872772704500562_6152865659555688285_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qkPUQxV_7XEAX_VPVlQ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHGmrxv9J7SMDLHcmYmUhYJoJTUOTGNy1oOTMo4rjHbw&oe=6587DEC6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55630 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/11/25, 12:51 PM | 1703105771 | 1741715513 | 65 | 717650563683171 | 1 | 1.6828388970923E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120201852683090185 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702554959 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921250_770582618235380_3902231432078750751_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fBxsxiaMw6oAX8Kk5bC&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDEYfw-vk0ilYiTKDOZ3qRfuqeof-eD7azD-3zlkLo4uQ&oe=6587B95A | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410089389_283690540844211_125745260849760313_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qdGxyH2f2GMAX9piVLC&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBa88bNwBLMzQjkFWqZCUear6wI7ZDOAoYq0dU_GLp49Q&oe=65878837 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56327 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 10:49 AM | 1703105779 | 1731149340 | 65 | 1686243938534831 | 1 | 6.2731084361244E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 114280725065050 | 0 | Joanna Tringali | 120202337857450687 | www.joannatringali.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Best Professional Buccal Massage Training | ADVANCED FACIAL MASSAGE & BEAUTY AESTHETICS | https://www.joannatringali.com/buccal-massage-2024 | 1701773335 | 1.1428072506505E+14 | Joanna Tringali | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407732080_1396015127721056_4545233891295223874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EtHAI0nB5kUAX97bXEk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBA5tjMMajo8n4n8lVurHcVsenY3ZD9Wmv6yw3y8IIFnQ&oe=6588D222 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Tringali Facial Massage | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407691587_1867012617047603_2080423122000293831_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L9G37KPFWAsAX8Itw1S&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBLSMidbhTHwihnODgRqElTCBLRYKZXFqfxfrlow1npWQ&oe=6588BAD2 | 0 | 3 | 🎓 LEVEL UP your Professional FACIAL Massage Skills! Be the Go-To Aesthetician + Facial Massage Therapist who gets consistent face lifting results for your clients!!<br /> <br /> This training benefits you and your clients for the advancement of your professional career.<br /> <br /> ✅ Learn Buccal Massage to EFFECTIVELY Lift and Sculpt clients’ face<br /> <br /> ✅ Combine Gua Sha and Lymphatic Drainage with Buccal Massage to BOOST results for greatest client satisfaction<br /> <br /> ✅ Earn your CERTIFICATE in our 2 day LIVE class<br /> <br /> Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a certification, demonstrating your proficiency in these specialized techniques.<br /> <br /> Start now, by visiting my website, where you can familiarize yourself with the "Buccal Massage" and have the opportunity get an update for my upcoming training program.<br /> <br /> 👉🏼 Click the "Learn More" button to the elevate your professional journey to the next level.<br /> <br /> #buccalfacial #buccalmassage #buccalmassagetraining #buccalmassagecourse #buccaltraining #facialmassage #naturalfacelift #guashafacialtraining #greenbeauty #slowbeauty #estheticianlife #estheticianschool #skincarecommunity #soloesthetician #holisticfacial #holisticesthetician #holisticbeauty #myofascialrelease #fasciafacial | Joanna Tringali | 50 | https://facebook.com/100094864748834 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55707 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/17/25, 3:35 AM | 1703105772 | 1750149352 | 65 | 349808970993664 | 10 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202703383080367 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702541001 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410436725_347841084608566_5462665001811859366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qye9bY9MuE4AX-2Yo-d&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0dnPBMozEj_MqiQGTEQX4N1n3_vZJDJR7uMrxy7pdag&oe=658831A5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56019 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/29/24, 10:21 PM | 1703105776 | 1735510865 | 65 | 381728377687683 | 2.0897465891648E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202216185200123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702310359 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410234586_797044925766796_7424241174578589937_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YKP5bxvZ-hoAX_NpXKo&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAsmXmsKCqeyryMWjkYx5yIAeBUlSCExfYvL5Qn2wBXaw&oe=65894102 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410002824_1028835445007540_139356636346995992_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TRWXilEmOnMAX9DqC42&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBFqaIYGESUXWNnVURxveQFYeXdV_t5yUhosI0dz9kvqg&oe=65880CA1 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55629 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 5:47 AM | 1703105771 | 1732016853 | 65 | 701769785256404 | 1 | 3.6488941612988E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045505740514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611244 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411168860_872099817741043_198217042042276953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XT7z9QdSloQAX-U7Z9O&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-u_nmRZayDkyIAjD78Wh76o8Z90xUZTOzgCKSG89xUg&oe=65875E19 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410652052_324899013680236_2558637884233599666_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7o3BAh7UpVwAX8etFJS&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCFbd1becveRkfrmwEG_xPtZN6aIDM5tTwb74RFEhaozA&oe=6588C7F1 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56736 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/11/25, 2:19 AM | 1703105783 | 1749626344 | 65 | 774605387761330 | 1 | 6.7381300487736E+14 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632064840115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796883 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404619211_321743887387704_7131448377130505579_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z7VaY4c-lzEAX-HGeVl&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBKRA8ZvQHMjX0RPPOcsToD9jeZSJhkSCe7OAstI-BCEA&oe=65877455 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404630719_2522395171273358_4530853579731081284_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=heWdOMgaiOgAX-LWHWJ&_nc_oc=AQmC8i3QELHicC1jXW91eq-xZI2PnokWQGZ0taPRmSERKh9St62F5N4FNosIHnBqqf-0gGwU6RsgCOSgk3AbFpMg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAs8FhU1hTh4hcNCT5YzSIU1E35wFP5aG07YvR4B4jgxQ&oe=6587B948 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56064 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/14/24, 7:34 AM | 1703105776 | 1731591253 | 65 | 283970614642136 | 6.7668274464497E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204870538330427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702210344 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409515072_1703857420124398_2271300200218405456_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZejE3hU-FeUAX_HMn3C&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD-7yt2Q5qITWqWQahGmqeQjMSiSGad11XTIqZEpLQY1A&oe=6588517F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409902574_1355906835031049_3480484119005154995_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IwYt1d2Nkp4AX_kIiVa&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBeNRR6UiJ-fxxFXEAHNt9jZeKsE9vYzpdb1fwrcoengA&oe=65880EA6 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55860 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/14/24, 1:37 PM | 1703105774 | 1731591420 | 65 | 714620643964050 | 1 | 8.5231254992804E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434458040465 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447453 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410782863_3460028467570174_4155585185709017371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=haisc3G8WrcAX_Gn_vd&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMabCeQ7fFW5V_riSa387-UxyAP0A6t_ykX-ZcKPUNyg&oe=65879B61 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410795177_3783891231846721_1911942128729633936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I8qfYNIF3OQAX9X9_kf&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9if2KshUybywnzdk1ywrPlO4iVoy_Je_qlIRQfAZ4SQ&oe=6587DB74 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56320 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/31/25, 9:11 AM | 1703105779 | 1738314664 | 65 | 3646190102319591 | 1 | 1.8009084852281E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 733844546757862 | 0 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | 120201626855900465 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Waco! | The Fixer Uppers are at it again and have officially opened what could possibly be their biggest project yet: Hotel 1928 in Waco, Texas!. The home flipping couple, and HGTV royalty, ended their fixer upper show in 2018 and have since focused on Magnolia Homes, a remodeling and design business in Wac... | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0q2xhd3P?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1701854548 | 7.3384454675786E+14 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407975681_891041685932799_60125509681984087_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TBmQN_CcIa8AX_MwQ5s&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCa-b7xey6SuoGoVSAf380TTpqCYSXKlOUNOp4RAfiFLw&oe=65883834 | person_profile | 0 | Waco, TX Local - News Break | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407925688_291096973929775_8722681132735979807_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zDuXkGWkaO8AX-niXDp&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDR24Lnqfcz1onNabr2C3KHQAI3NBQQhHPQMVOCEUUSoQ&oe=6587D6E1 | 0 | 3 | Waco News: Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Expensive Hotel is Now Open in Texas. | Waco, TX Local - News Break | 4288 | https://facebook.com/WacoTXLocal | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55746 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/27/24, 3:59 PM | 1703105772 | 1735336790 | 65 | 1312138722790050 | 3.5355846726739E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548096809 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410659639_1073675650309436_435524383600676111_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KKuD6CHbWc0AX9Rmeq1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDFoiTRKCHIOFqUqqeBxyRPmXMLAf2CVD7KGz3tEyubww&oe=65883D43 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410639479_1347805596104162_5352567371815448871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FYLONQcD2LQAX9V_2Cz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqLIBR8C2sbK4B6VjvSObGkZGxNYnI9pzBBm02-W4nsw&oe=65874C45 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56685 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/28/24, 9:07 AM | 1703105783 | 1735398476 | 65 | 2070616986605499 | 3.764241743862E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145432820740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Speaks Out to the World Breaking Her Silence. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806360 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404302208_367385385674169_8748197518989188889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QQjNVcv_qJkAX_Mmuqc&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBbuvG0DIK6o7r7ZFN9oOjjg71YjL34jsDyp7ijPwQNvQ&oe=6587678A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers Hid This for Years, Now Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband and Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Show Ending. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56545 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 7:15 PM | 1703105781 | 1742429722 | 65 | 883321739826732 | 6.4421679792357E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1714320658797429 | 0 | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | 6487055167210 | chrisconnellyphotography.com/scheduler | Learn more | NONE | video | NY’s Top Boudoir Studio ❤️ | Schedule Your Boudoir Session Today! | Chris Connelly Boudoir Photography | Albany’s #1 Boudoir Photographer | https://chrisconnellyphotography.com/scheduler/ | 1701197300 | 1.7143206587974E+15 | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404808444_674065154840409_4177166131027991675_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rS8Evw2xNtcAX9vfS9z&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBt2fDlS9oyfjFw9fkRD3lO2kK-kAd1aX9AlLJmgKU5Dg&oe=6587A7E6 | person_profile | 0 | Intimate Potraiture & Boudoir | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404704682_1825186464599188_4581412233472097412_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UmzBIgJslD8AX96CYcU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9FrC7JRFSwSwpD9Q_2liqurTgDyivWTzgev2QuAIn-Q&oe=65889B69 | 0 | 3 | The most common thing I hear from my clients is always, “I wish I had done this sooner!” <br /> <br /> So why don’t you take the first step and schedule a complimentary consultation with our expert team? 📞 During the call, we’ll answer ALL of your questions - no matter how big or small! Plus, we’ll walk you through the whole process and give you details on pricing. <br /> <br /> If you’re thinking, “Me? Boudoir? No way! I’m not _____ enough,” 🤔 just listen to what my previous clients say about their confidence-boosting sessions:<br /> <br /> 💌 “I left on a complete high. I've never seen myself the way Chris was able to capture me. He showed me a side of myself others have told me they have seen, but that I've never seen myself. I was self-conscious about my body before, but left feeling gorgeous and empowered”<br /> <br /> 💌 “Chris is absolutely amazing!! He has tons of expertise and knows exactly what is going to look good! I was so nervous at first but both him and Joanna made me feel so comfortable within minutes that I totally forgot I was nervous in the first place! This made me feel so confident and good about myself! To anyone who isn’t sure if they want to do this or not, just do it!! You will not be disappointed!!” <br /> <br /> 💌 “I was hesitant to have my pictures done as I'm a bit more curvy than most, but I'm so happy I did! From the moment I walked into the studio, I was made to feel comfortable. From hair and makeup, to choosing my outfits and poses, I was supported every step of the way. It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience and showcased the way I've always felt about myself!” <br /> <br /> Are you ready to take the plunge? Click the button below to schedule a consult and get all the details on a boudoir session with Chris Connelly Photography. | Chris Connelly Photography - Top Albany Boudoir Photographer | 2677 | https://facebook.com/chrisconnellyphotography | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56533 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/30/24, 12:11 PM | 1703105781 | 1735560667 | 65 | 385475153808412 | 1 | 1.6787883792803E+15 | 1701417600 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108758418815036 | 0 | ninja_furtivo | 120202723887570548 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/ninja_furtivo | 1701212743 | 1.0875841881504E+14 | ninja_furtivo | https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/332760421_1142248786464768_3871527482234436399_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=svSJXqaMhHMAX8e7HuB&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfB8vMsS_hh48Jif7NVOfvg27cGTPToreNQciRftVx39Yg&oe=6588B8B4 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Selected Furtivo's Art Archive | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405293749_907497660989704_6939782000505778802_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kE1BFWGDbFIAX9XijLk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDlqlo13Ee5VgHFJJ0vzMXqdHHzp4K96aUqjnnISsrEIQ&oe=65878950 | 0 | 3 | Story of a fish<br /> by Joanna Braithwaite<br /> <br /> Compilation by me<br /> <br /> Hope you enjoyed! | ninja_furtivo | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/ninja_furtivo | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55418 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/31/25, 8:34 PM | 1703105769 | 1738377248 | 65 | 3588015614775095 | 1 | 8.2442093937214E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 238498316273380 | 0 | OSF Innovation | 6554569329719 | NONE | image | 1702915393 | 2.3849831627338E+14 | OSF Innovation | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410918828_817149460212595_6375778110118078158_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0TW97mLeBlUAX9R9DPK&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCwwcQqUP6r8n11TkHgwotQghuaNiiLXkTLl3o2RyVYNg&oe=65882592 | person_profile | 0 | OSF Innovation | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410930770_1774653892958585_4467250411379447709_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sgBZiAggo6gAX_3ZrKT&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFChFq1ZSEd3vkJhuuW_iay4y_4hnRezpEA4F9SpMW4g&oe=65875D0C | 0 | 3 | Highlighting project work from the Connected Communities Initiative between <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OSFHealthCare">OSF HealthCare</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisStateUniversity">Illinois State University</a>.<br /> <br /> Developing new opioid intervention and outreach resources in rural Illinois<br /> - Scott Barrows, MA, OSF HealthCare <br /> - Joanna Willet, RN, MSN, CEN, Illinois State University <br /> <br /> Widespread opioid addiction continues to rise in rural areas with limited access to addiction services. This study will focus on rural populations, using Naloxone (Narcan) interventions to reduce overdose deaths and substance abuse.<br /> <br /> Learn more about these projects and the Innovation Academic Incubator: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fosf.care%2Fn9Lt50Qi5TN&h=AT1Y1_NpSHHtUgtxrN3dA3jIN9wtBPTHSQGgqIaQDwO0PRNpIQA8VjDT274wciUgDwrp4Mbmhi0RgRhF94hwL3Y8NtEYdf4GdL7KziWBP4ffo39mnESCCVXPL6ML-2vu-sMSMVkUUZFmPvFIqy1iuNLzA44" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://osf.care/n9Lt50Qi5TN</a> | OSF Innovation | 3463 | https://facebook.com/OSFInnovation | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55422 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/31/24, 4:18 PM | 1703105769 | 1735683536 | 65 | 210175222169441 | 3.7770544798512E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 541829670064587 | 0 | The Goat Manchester | 120204728641460066 | thegoat.fanlink.to | Buy tickets | NONE | video | Granite Lion Presents: SunDub + Mighty Mystic + Green Lion Crew | Sun, Jan 7 | The Goat | Manchester, NH | https://thegoat.fanlink.to/010724 | 1702912984 | 5.4182967006459E+14 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412108435_264044066378229_3130345360833298970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BQMm3LSEO80AX8Jr9fS&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASqNnRORjZePAYAya79fXtaqHp4Nvf7cDn80uHP8xGWA&oe=65887C5A | person_profile | 0 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412241593_722089609984588_7544616330262347934_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x0uWV6e5afsAX-iLSn3&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCXy2HmLeBbuo6Q6WFTkUB8jk2wd3i3pwj0EeWY14NVAw&oe=6587B891 | 0 | 3 | 🎉 Get Ready to groove! Sundub & Mighty Mystic are hitting The Goat in Manchester, NH 🐐✨ Jan 7, Sunday. Special beats by Green Lion Crew! 🔥 Don't miss this epic night! | The Goat Manchester | 10480 | https://facebook.com/goatbarmanchester | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55761 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/14/25, 12:52 PM | 1703105773 | 1747245133 | 65 | 324961076977742 | 5 | 5.2879826379927E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548090009 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494401 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410783027_727059629481436_6176188534894458788_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L6p3ZvqsalMAX91HLum&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCx8ICexfspNRC48xAOT3eDUM8VFXhr7nJoM9-CnNE3PA&oe=65893559 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410787130_348600691203010_3191356948770235435_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ED7Mj-By3lEAX_kgKga&_nc_oc=AQnmjK2WPipvUlGw854sX-8NU1nt3Yz8y_voWkeAZkv_azoHjT_uJtlvhAVzidcRUqs&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxz926I7Fd6DOC-FDP7d90DBIWFv6OGhhBCZBxfwC2JQ&oe=6588499A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55635 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 11:00 AM | 1703105772 | 1732035618 | 65 | 884365089760032 | 1 | 7.2981999213147E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205064226180729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702611428 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410317386_866814231851389_4781038940378078186_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uLMbh9i8hEQAX8rOu3I&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0Y4xcLgdpjJ1PjLH3n4hGY54jqC54bUwsc92Ygtursw&oe=6588C954 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410477763_1062031651598805_4809295900052058224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sccd5jPNGVsAX9AIQSi&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBRPjclyACFrrWOY4uGl6ySSVSAZrACeMakzcYi_aKTUA&oe=6588FF9C | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55905 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 2:06 AM | 1703105774 | 1747379211 | 65 | 2149911538674333 | 1.8602014792734E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 338490086641261 | 0 | Dayglow | 6500419242289 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702080941 | 3.3849008664126E+14 | Dayglow | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408109240_1817431115358435_2470905210257644388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RpseZPk23vUAX958Bfu&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCC_qQxbigE-TaUPcwA8foUnAd_w-CTGHjchoB8IZg0VA&oe=65875F39 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Dayglow | 36804 | https://facebook.com/dayglowband | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56452 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/14/24, 6:37 PM | 1703105780 | 1731609424 | 65 | 726412962703705 | 3 | 3.1120533461667E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 147021062061602 | 0 | Ruggable | 6526009084506 | ruggable.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | Ruggable | https://ruggable.com/pages/the-home-edit-rugs | 1701367104 | 1.470210620616E+14 | Ruggable | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406376349_1077173253459448_3317105546360363451_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0CS6fIR5llMAX-m8kbW&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDseCQgOB19po3H7tnRfFJiLdSJZVEaJFX6cIlGATXq_Q&oe=6588886B | person_profile | 0 | Machine Washable Rugs | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406378369_312767875016191_4006189635487077051_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZuRQEff-99IAX_5Z28p&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCoH0MXDKshsfQUQr-yhw8f0wo0YD8kdh6sUdyDiL9gng&oe=65881EF4 | 0 | 3 | Must-Have Washable Rugs: The Home Edit Way! | Ruggable | 623829 | https://facebook.com/ruggable | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56223 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/14/24, 2:37 PM | 1703105778 | 1731616659 | 65 | 714530180626455 | 3.6807866254761E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202409468350520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | 37 Photos Of The Place Joanna Gaines Lives In With Her Partner | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702008110 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406754795_319849970814030_4249998885158149674_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eDDTFIefFAkAX-BwhWD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCnXnMF1jmC7hHWOzJZ1PM9o-lyRZupcnRftjnlbTOm_g&oe=65874E09 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55971 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 7:17 PM | 1703105775 | 1745885837 | 65 | 1295423717821885 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 332852867116118 | 0 | SARZA | 120202431843900441 | sarzastore.com | Shop now | 13498 | NONE | dpa | {{product.name}} | https://www.sarzastore.com/ | 1702380647 | 3.3285286711612E+14 | SARZA | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409734399_995639054865027_3333004400415699880_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7s5Vim5IwHIAX9nnpRj&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDbhIkRHeb95CtBbiLZEOH5CpRFhXcDfHZXuyf4zseC-g&oe=6588FF35 | person_profile | 0 | ＳＡＲＺＡ | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409543921_383428417445411_3201096235973062900_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nhxa4NxcFDMAX-DTLSK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCKMD-gdhrg43mnPsEwfkmkaVoiQOgP-25BYdBdjP1nKg&oe=65891E67 | 0 | 3 | Make your home as beautiful & unique as you are! Shop our range of exceptionally made items now.<br /> .<br /> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Sarza is my favorite specialty merchandise store. I call it "the African" store. They carry a huge collection of items primarily made in South Africa, but also unique artifacts from other African countries. Whenever I need a gift for my family member or a friend, I know that I will find something beautiful & unusual at Sarza.” - Joanna P.<br /> .<br /> Shop unique pieces with impeccable design & sentimental stories today! | SARZA | 5643 | https://facebook.com/SarzaStore | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56002 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/24/24, 5:54 AM | 1703105775 | 1735041272 | 65 | 326986820272408 | 1 | 8.9831901168759E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120204695878050230 | leonis.gr | Book now | NONE | image | Leonis Summer Houses Mykonos – A complex of 4 houses, 2 studios, 1 suite and 1 villa, built according to the traditional Mykonian architecture in a 5000 square meters field. | Joanna and Orfeas always shared a passion for traveling and they loved the sea. They learned how to sail and they loved to cruise around the Greek islands. The island that had a special place in their heart was Mykonos, which they discovered long before people started yelling “Mykonooooos” on qu... | https://leonis.gr/ | 1702334827 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409960219_1540640423417499_8092368697986058039_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PD0bvXGZhtgAX_GxhE4&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfDkADDNU6P7RiwUYnek1yucPRIjvb5YzEFYEHBgeu-ZBA&oe=65893D5E | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410002095_1522003615226374_8988282090613739166_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ujl4GY7XVHsAX--ZKcB&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAEbwlYj2y1rCRHF1-vr3rHobJCCFBl_vlnMgs781Sg1A&oe=6589085A | 0 | 3 | To think that this is just half of the sea view available at Leonis Summer Houses. The hotel looks over Ornos beach as well, just 500m away and offering more than a few options for lunch or dinner.<br /> <br /> It’s no secret that our guests can’t get enough of this view, which is why we have filled the hotel with the most comfortable bean bags, loungers, sofas, chairs, all spread throughout the property and in place to ensure that everyone will always have the perfect spot to lay back and enjoy this breathtaking picture.<br /> <br /> If you’d like to get a taste of the holiday experience that we have been perfecting since 2012, all you have to do is make your reservation at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT02rVlyyu0j3rtBX3wkXjPp9XV-UPQUdSJebDQqhDkA30HxrLJRFEv4jNykVZDrM9XYG6Mjd1bXupVcBHKH96XN-TqViJ9pGYrvjyw9eW0ywkt4lu0Cn_88lbgE89YkFzzsBZARzA5ffWncbdVIkQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or send your request at welcome@leonis.gr<br /> <br /> Season Premiere 20 April 2024 | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55578 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/21/24, 4:42 AM | 1703105771 | 1732185739 | 65 | 1642296806179346 | 1 | 6.9454160122425E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101928486111131 | 0 | YummyStory | 120204011748470506 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702636963 | 1.0192848611113E+14 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410766733_673546884933149_5390485424039436545_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0g8vJvt98AUAX-PAI68&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBUWNNPvu3QOPhgqHVVhznqJEKdpeufZQHZWxbadJ3vCg&oe=65884B8D | person_profile | 0 | YummyStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410835000_224817237235912_4047441065315569528_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GUML_JDt45sAX_68ipQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQ7r5fpXx9yxGpwnNUmsKI9AQ3Q3RPEoZwDZdhNjxRYw&oe=65877797 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | YummyStory | 194 | https://facebook.com/100088816688674 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56280 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/22/25, 8:18 PM | 1703105778 | 1750641515 | 65 | 311344028461357 | 1 | 1.5125948029125E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102490281855010 | 0 | RHB Images | 120201605945560107 | linktr.ee | Learn more | NONE | carousel | https://linktr.ee/riileybrennan | 1701906191 | 1.0249028185501E+14 | RHB Images | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406780521_1034771371069992_1159621857985422549_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vt3u-y35HREAX--G1LL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBASyxdd5c7Qu29ASyvh8u6TQ3yX_ZhqRQZzdHZNj0VlQ&oe=6587611A | person_profile | 0 | RILEY BRENNAN | NY PHOTOGRAPHY | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408455941_326503776832284_6200256969980343793_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7KvrlKxLM3oAX__xUBp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQVAUikqdY84zJ3yl89QK949TOvrTGZGiLsxfsoXe1_A&oe=6588BE48 | 0 | 3 | joanna & nick had such an incredible wedding day from getting ready together in the lower east side, to walking over to city hall for a short and sweet ceremony, followed by boba in chinatown and then pizza at Rubirosa with friends and family… days like these where I get to explore the city with an amazing couple are such a dream 🤍<br /> <br /> shot for @stephanienaruphoto ✨ | RHB Images | 23 | https://facebook.com/rhbimages | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56965 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 9:22 PM | 1703105786 | 1742437321 | 65 | 1196089058014209 | 1.0156560028262E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721035170167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678881 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403723303_340445045354355_4047403071000238198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBZ7kHTb8TwAX8zBkWm&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC5dY_6qsT5X8Lc3r1unjp1Fkz2oFa9X9sQ1akHe4ulGA&oe=658873C3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55947 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/27/24, 1:18 PM | 1703105775 | 1732735115 | 65 | 754259023183477 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207705703480456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389344 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409325388_6899827533429006_4677693101902409195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KpG7WMfd8LwAX9SNCsd&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBE2qL31mypxTb8g8HrwR-UT8q8SHiMLQXo3VbLKwDxWg&oe=658917D5 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409871878_796025432291371_7622575314236826031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f3DAoG5GWLkAX_jpT-h&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBASvY3cjuCw_kzsmUT3_TwTj3V8zCeQKg9IDfBgGCj1w&oe=6587FB02 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55316 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/14/24, 4:12 PM | 1703105768 | 1731622353 | 65 | 1718265381986795 | 1 | 3.2711952698452E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476672990743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977367 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410811252_1059650781848660_5972740901107628364_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=22-OsixmgrUAX_q6r7r&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3mBm81GQZ42Aim9KtxfnEF_qW7-IJVa1nBmTuUaiXMA&oe=6587F151 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410831904_787122286585143_5768442626639997584_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hEiKdFFOOEYAX8dh1XS&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD00lM89WLlN3OW6JuHR15baCCKKSaKSISqLFBCCgRIAw&oe=658776D0 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55660 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/11/25, 2:25 PM | 1703105772 | 1749669942 | 65 | 353783020588561 | 1 | 6.7721608454241E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112243818028359 | 0 | Niko Stories | 120202962074030340 | parentztalk.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Fixer Upper’s Dark Downers: The Hidden Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://parentztalk.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-ua/ | 1702585367 | 1.1224381802836E+14 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921836_371990558530684_1026392085103242356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JtNeOgNSeg8AX_o09jA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAQCL-7S5QFa43I25UBPwe01ODzUtCZDx9MZqCdycxWFw&oe=65879794 | person_profile | 0 | Niko Stories | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409968699_678201564137680_5733687931049026277_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_RnEJwGoLnoAX8nO1wO&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAMDxL3sAxBxv-iXJVG2KEsuTq8gQPM12TsRzEjlQ_K0w&oe=658834FD | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Niko Stories | 21 | https://facebook.com/100079533857132 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56418 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/28/25, 11:17 PM | 1703105780 | 1745900236 | 65 | 1012115223354533 | 1 | 3.4904102246084E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 29248284143 | 0 | ScholarMan | 120201542027480751 | www.amazon.com | Shop now | NONE | video | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDG6MJK | 1701457013 | 29248284143 | ScholarMan | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407451034_1361970321360462_1970576729216696361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eDmOgDZUes4AX8uIGG_&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBAtCpSym9usHPqEFYgz00EF8QkQ9HJaZRzPR9dLcgyQA&oe=6587922B | person_profile | 0 | ScholarMan | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407385109_163445830158754_8571242999058832849_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PrwyBKS7xHcAX9jgSwK&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBLk82Dqzv_mqopjfKANvhfAb68em0SjBhHnXP365Wswg&oe=65888E86 | 0 | 3 | NOW SHIPPING, NEW SUSPENSE THRILLER, "THE SAC HOUSE" BY C. SCHMIDT:<br /> <br /> Gabriel and his sister Joanna are promising young adults, thriving as best they can in a busy city. After losing their mother, they have adapted to being on their own and not relying on their father. He had been a hustler and a drifter, usually creating more problems than good. In spite of this, Gabe and Joanna were resilient. They have handled their affairs well, despite any drama their father unintentionally brought their way. However, this time, something more serious has occurred. It has caused them to make a choice they had never considered before: running. It seemed like a good idea at first. Yet, in their efforts to find safety, they found something much more sinister than what they left behind. Surviving through the consequences of their choice is their only goal.<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> #book #books #novel #novels #author #amazon #Kindle #suspense #thriller #goodreads #gmabookclub | ScholarMan | 6608 | https://facebook.com/ScholarManMusic | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55615 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/19/24, 2:02 PM | 1703105771 | 1732046521 | 65 | 332933779451507 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 138576156001792 | 0 | Passport to Adventure | 120203055195470096 | travelfiber.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.travelfiber.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567209 | 1.3857615600179E+14 | Passport to Adventure | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409924007_1862137190870274_8501171742042011564_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=glb4pWlrS74AX9_KONE&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBz4ulmmJgjlRqZfMjST8_oZh56qhcDfjEujUIeYW-A7g&oe=6588EBD9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Passport to Adventure | 95 | https://facebook.com/61551723967747 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55463 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/2/24, 6:35 PM | 1703105770 | 1733186133 | 65 | 1054199722573650 | 1 | 7.0115386865892E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102648229826177 | 0 | KAZ Radio TV Network | 6559285757401 | NONE | video | Greater Grace Gospel Church | 1702859440 | 1.0264822982618E+14 | KAZ Radio TV Network | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410673941_199493333152837_7212874786024917952_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-QXKfKhHfvYAX9uj9Qh&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB8KT4Z4LEgQC7kh-IZZ4MUKI1RjXUtzpFkF8PXgGA1LA&oe=65890E34 | person_profile | 0 | Larry James | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410979524_1606983880130533_8410792342194418874_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AyFL0FGtCwoAX-TneAC&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBuRBCbrxcTPeuF0MAoOh_RLu7973GqTJQZ1viDkhCS6w&oe=6588D162 | 0 | 3 | Breakfast Table Message: Meekness and Going Under" | KAZ Radio TV Network | 2039 | https://facebook.com/kazradiotv | 0 | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55524 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 12:06 PM | 1703105770 | 1745687210 | 65 | 2666947706803654 | 1 | 1.7054471278408E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202766111210465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702546 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411586131_1070606857413336_580379575064402807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gaMZrNfrEpsAX_Cb1Es&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBXyRAdVOSLwckdTOeFxUNIj6eqeGJ7ItTlJb5AhPwu2Q&oe=658833D5 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410815236_1483040935611245_5177107809599732188_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pMd0J-iJlDkAX8f_1Vk&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAwO-Qb2AFjYNDyA9rxcQWhMAe2y7VwwtDBsaPAaDVMiQ&oe=65893A37 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55925 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/10/25, 12:02 AM | 1703105775 | 1744261347 | 65 | 1597084287700561 | 2 | 2.4037759559825E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041744358 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421860 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409693386_889828592414514_1118172325497532440_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8CFEsYVMrowAX_rkB5a&_nc_oc=AQnKJbmDPuAOErDL4nuVWVSL3KjmsJm9wKL58AHAhomxkB0JCsCtbQ1mcN6mte19KXA0GrfiMGD3hEAbC2FseViy&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAomnD4SKzqCxEQbTUAhRgH-j9wnOCpUPYfyobcIFuqGA&oe=6588ECC0 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409679733_898861478210928_2869268785084454104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o6oHNeoRB4QAX8T32OM&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAyn_OG-NodIb0EEUhsjntlFuz3YIPKIDIV1xolUwT2aA&oe=65883E85 | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55873 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 4:10 AM | 1703105774 | 1743066613 | 65 | 1757629681367217 | 1 | 1.199068184845E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434521970465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447660 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410436617_2603357053162860_7608358903296226130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T8VXBV7pNUMAX9UlGlQ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBIe4FOz9kd0WXpXLSRQN_tw2IZryryM97UcIV4w2Nwng&oe=65875035 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409579380_1343539046554235_8351093367864393564_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gtA6Kn3_yAUAX8TmuSK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCYMnZXLQyBmR9fZ-Ys66zjyo02XKkpMLbhIIDihm7g9g&oe=6587B13C | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56649 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/27/25, 5:37 AM | 1703105782 | 1748342263 | 65 | 863828395245750 | 1 | 6.8456887377798E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281119460596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068332 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406403638_3569405380004961_4936980720061732160_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QMMMtfrSmKwAX-QVp5r&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3UHJluWupljY59lIyus_pJA5iGpkmkPYJQ_NIXGtOUQ&oe=65892411 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405695981_1055229918955518_6180044482997184918_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3gG5DGzNasoAX_qZqsf&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAB7jnUTQbe19U8g7qGUd-GFxN9-gQ84fzcHXDsQxbwIg&oe=65892CF3 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56600 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/24/25, 3:25 AM | 1703105782 | 1742804759 | 65 | 1113007880078275 | 2 | 3.2071576089619E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201715937080115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701140264 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404649525_2060918560967654_2280731942841318777_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vU-EdFlyca8AX-az5ef&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCMx1sSBsxO5ZIx3gXNOGeEOPM7JThMgJGoidjAD-Yrfg&oe=6588CFB6 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404717928_675317164413168_1223324724525241407_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WqaFRPWlhbcAX_g3f6G&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBlg4rnoQEYDw__3PJuRK3RgghEki7RKOp0o2q1oZmcPA&oe=658849FD | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56499 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/24/24, 6:22 PM | 1703105781 | 1735086148 | 65 | 299590702638114 | 1 | 9.9860367810386E+14 | 1701417600 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100927582949138 | 0 | ashgreenwald | 120201588425780493 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/ashgreenwald | 1701277317 | 1.0092758294914E+14 | ashgreenwald | https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/386915088_1740877173020723_1081652475220508820_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ayQq_ZAViKIAX-D7_T8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfD9pXinop5iCrQTozgTwH4e7t01MjKjsYWqUGacK0setA&oe=658835C5 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Ashley Greenwald | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406336350_252811880856224_8111391222190401012_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ISVGy0lNhhMAX9fFoxx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAEJjOBy5gN5BYxvA1fD9ID4NGwXMu3I7dUcmeqyJ7yPA&oe=65888A06 | 0 | 3 | Family dinner 🤍<br /> <br /> @awakenandfree <br /> @honeyandsoulyoga <br /> @ursula_mae <br /> @isabelllindva <br /> @joanna_burch777 <br /> @marychrisfees <br /> @scopeland05 | ashgreenwald | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/ashgreenwald | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55357 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 5:29 PM | 1703105769 | 1746743376 | 65 | 355446423779749 | 11 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55233 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 12:42 AM | 1703105768 | 1746942134 | 65 | 234695322994104 | 1 | 2.8170143851067E+15 | 1702281600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 120203646717170563 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | Uwolniona do miłości | Zupełna Nowość "5U-WOLNIONA DO MIŁOŚCI" Bo dobra miłość zaczyna się w Twoich emocjach Zobacz, jak RAZ NA ZAWSZE możesz uwolnić się od uwięzionych emocji, tęsknoty, goryczy, bólu, żalu, rozczarowania, natrętnych i niepokojących myśli o nim.I odzyska.... | https://jestemkochanka.pl/funnel/5u-zakup-2/5u/?op3_vid=45158 | 1702227196 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409540962_885432009891719_907653492937529523_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Uj7OAU-_rqsAX9IFDec&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDmiWt0uHsFdHXPVBllJDpxJ8p400fX-yXsdGjaqgotaw&oe=65880DCD | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🟠 Jakie maski nakładamy, byle tylko nie zmierzyć się trudnymi emocjami w relacji? <br /> <br /> Te maski to euforia, duma, siła, “wybaczanie”, aby tylko zażegnać trudy, dawanie z siebie za dużo w poczuciu “jestem tak dobra”. <br /> <br /> Bo my, wychowani często w tłumieniu, odcinaniu się, zamrożeniu, tego co naprawdę czujemy<br /> jesteśmy mistrzyniami ich kamuflowania, od dziecka.<br /> Tłumienie, wypieranie, udawanie, że czegoś nie czujesz.<br /> Że jesteś zadowolona, kiedy naprawdę coś Cię boli.<br /> Bo jak poczujesz i o tym powiesz, to będziesz odrzucona, zostawiona, zabraknie poczucia bezpieczeństwa, nie będziesz akceptowana.<br /> Potem powtarzasz to w relacjach.<br /> <br /> Nie mówisz, co czujesz.<br /> <br /> Udajesz, że czujesz coś innego, aby tylko to trwało.<br /> <br /> Udajesz, że satysfakcjonuje Cię jego zachowanie, kiedy naprawdę sprawia Ci przykrość.<br /> Albo wreszcie to kończysz i zrywasz, ale tęsknisz…<br /> <br /> Ale chcesz być bohaterska i dawać radę.<br /> <br /> Albo zdradzona walczysz Ty o związek.<br /> Trwasz w roli tej trzeciej, udając, że Ci to odpowiada.<br /> <br /> I nie dopuszczasz do siebie tych najgłębszych pokładów emocji.<br /> <br /> Złością, pogardą, dumą, przykrywasz gorycz, ból, tęsknotę za miłością.<br /> <br /> I to przez jakiś czas może być dla Ciebie skuteczne.<br /> <br /> Dajesz radę.<br /> Szukasz pocieszenia, działasz,<br /> Albo, opadasz z sił.<br /> Bo te ukryte, uwięzione emocje działają podstępnie.<br /> Odbierają Ci siły życiowe.<br /> Powoli, po cichu, niezauważalnie.<br /> <br /> A co gorsza...<br /> <br /> Powodują, że to od czego chcesz się uwolnić,<br /> to co chcesz zmienić,<br /> czego już masz dosyć w relacjach i miłości,<br /> wzmaga się, przybiera na sile.<br /> <br /> Dlaczego tak się dzieje?<br /> <br /> Bo wszystko, co tłumimy, zaprzeczamy, wypieramy, więzimy.<br /> Dopada nas i kieruje nami jeszcze bardziej.<br /> <br /> CHCESZ MIŁOŚCI.<br /> <br /> A w Tobie ukryta goryczą, strach, rozczarowanie.<br /> Tym właśnie emanujesz.<br /> Nawet jak się śmiejesz i dajesz sobie radę.<br /> <br /> I będziesz tak emanować dalej. <br /> i będziesz tak blokować przepływ miłości, dopóki będziesz swoje uwięzione emocje trzymać pod kluczem.<br /> <br /> I nie zajmiesz się nimi.<br /> <br /> Z szacunkiem do siebie.<br /> <br /> Pozwoleniem na to, aby wybrzmiały, zostały zauważone wreszcie.<br /> <br /> Uwolnieniem ich energii, aby zrobić miejsce na nowe, zdrowe emocje.<br /> <br /> To świadoma praca.<br /> To jest proces.<br /> Ale nie trwa wiecznie. Trwa stosunkowo krótko.<br /> 21-30 dni, abyś realnie poczuła się inaczej.<br /> Abyś zaczęła emanować MIŁOŚCIĄ.<br /> <br /> I znowu przyciągać miłość.<br /> <br /> TYM RAZEM JUŻ TYLKO MIŁOŚĆ.<br /> Bez bólu.<br /> <br /> Formuła<br /> <br /> 5 U - UJRZYSZ, USZANUJ, UWOLNIJ, UKIERUNKUJ, UGRUNTUJ,<br /> czyli ZAAKCEPTUJ TYLKO MIŁOŚĆ, KTÓREJ JESTEŚ WARTA <br /> <br /> SPRAWDŹ<br /> Tutaj:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoannagrabska.pl%2F&h=AT19YXJbejHP_MLk__5a-Zge856-mGPOlQTccZNl9Cs_jBdqZdzwZzSqc0GiAaAbhaSpT5gGWNuClcMJjyu9ayFmEygUgU-Mh2KRXO1mhhUuzXBoySWqmR5ZAoIQZ-oziBTUWquMszaDcgxHpaS4Xg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://joannagrabska.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56676 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/26/25, 5:22 PM | 1703105783 | 1750976576 | 65 | 7303448339665463 | 5.7974953763093E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145421190740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | World Exclusive: Joanna Gaines Breaks Her Silence for the First Time. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806347 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403208425_1007203737020465_4850739763630294285_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YC5c6bdyzE4AX_gBCun&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCB8-1ohRMPnWolGUDtLs9YK0GKvIIGQk23H5XsCjzzVg&oe=65888C13 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Untold Story: Joanna Breaks Silence on Husband, Spilling Behind-the-Scenes Show Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56263 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/27/25, 3:27 PM | 1703105778 | 1748377643 | 65 | 362592149785756 | 3 | 7.6676914194409E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997277320476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940816 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407910569_725629772415368_3071558034293682609_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4ogrQeLPJlYAX8XIs3J&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2Hn8dER4WfM9Bhd_sfk07QKduIH7YszrGnbp0qEjWDA&oe=65874FC2 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407862925_1101393497897550_4896317800266295054_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBmKbQNDbk0AX-EkKWW&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBz5VAi85PL4ZCRBi2OIsAS4fzcvkis9EZjfvZTu3zjTg&oe=65893D4A | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56758 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/30/24, 3:42 PM | 1703105784 | 1735573320 | 65 | 682860147152248 | 1 | 8.6584882158085E+14 | 1701158400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 104579102544087 | 0 | elizabethalker | 120200605345590094 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/elizabethalker | 1700844163 | 1.0457910254409E+14 | elizabethalker | https://scontent-hou1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/385538420_698213932177510_6095934511216458231_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=4TF7yoyJ75IAX8_NyDY&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDcX2hap6Gxopkp9QwX2_fOAcQzSOl6XVpYOVar9hKgqQ&oe=65890204 | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Elizabeth Alker | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403622266_3623752327900087_49534661847228716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=snyT2rlJMvUAX_SfM_t&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBAIp8HwWOoK19ye5Q4BBn0SZtruE7oRM2Akh38OwIaFg&oe=6587C901 | 0 | 3 | On this week’s @bbcradio3 Unclassified the mighty @Gazelletwin is in our Listening Chair 🪑 🎧 with a top music recommendation and we hear music from her new album BLACK DOG. Elsewhere @dbasio with prayers in the mountain village of Letto-mano-ppello, spacious sounds from Japan, @marysia_osu fuses classical harp with UK bass, new @_hilary_woods, @DOSullivan with perfectly formed chamber pop, something wild by🤴Charlemagne Palestine and Joanna Brouk @thenumerogrouo with sounds for the sea. Skipping into winter like…. 🐕 <br /> <br /> Link to listen in bio 💥 | elizabethalker | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/elizabethalker | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56455 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/2/25, 4:46 AM | 1703105780 | 1738493201 | 65 | 265249673194255 | 2 | 8.9426444209880E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203497698940404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701357851 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406358726_710950794303438_8960751801788668814_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GL_CgWjM9kQAX_I4PC8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDDfCmvJ9oEVpdyorh1jvv0204be21Ukh5bt5cuFbsuKw&oe=6588E572 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406348065_641904764824608_692377640277232053_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rLvjs2DpPfMAX9YfbN-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAzli1ikobA8MfjwWOGUhRBGlKbX5HN3GBnNQPgOZpQZA&oe=65891F72 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55824 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/28/25, 1:16 AM | 1703105773 | 1738048609 | 65 | 779101797294175 | 1 | 3.1190445846599E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205169330440427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462133 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410395047_1338026904257324_4172863503371476473_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L_A_H0SJIIsAX-X_c3Y&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDEUV-TDdpn3hclOXDvDvIzzeiGp0aPrK6KDeUn7TX1sw&oe=65889805 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410321279_895242638605700_4973041637611827493_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wNEQw_Ft0tsAX-Wuspo&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-W9u1EE6_wBx3oGz6-6RYNVVfbPcI1eYHFC-OiAsKSw&oe=65886FCC | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56618 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/10/25, 8:28 AM | 1703105782 | 1744291739 | 65 | 1435272510371109 | 4 | 1.8125626292586E+15 | 1701331200 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 131920553340233 | 0 | Family Gift 13 | 120201303781150403 | myfamily-gifts.com | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | The best gift for loved ones | https://myfamily-gifts.com/joanna-db09 | 1701100368 | 1.3192055334023E+14 | Family Gift 13 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406011090_883082463529943_8780638927458560793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CZovjT3bO44AX--qA5G&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMS-oixDYwQF3unbvXDyKAzXVkVjAjWXIlaEG6twFGGA&oe=65876032 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Find your perfect, thoughtful gift here!<br /> Order now: >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamily-gifts.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3bQO5OgfJID4Lw5jZ9k9F1yuXaHUKvsYOQWOtS7YejvSgDMImF3Qdn5YvsPGrGhZ7cUXkX6GV2Nu_knpNlmpV0Fc6c387uwJzwfCjlwDp258jhmoDA7hJAx0vVM35whIo3NZmgCVFs3oGoP6oKug" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myfamily-gifts.com/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift 13 | 16 | https://facebook.com/61551888543646 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56152 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/2/25, 6:21 AM | 1703105777 | 1738498910 | 65 | 313279621600797 | 1 | 2.1112128925591E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108258998739587 | 0 | I Did not know | 120204382438680288 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | You know how sometimes a cartoon perfectly captures a complicated feeling? That's exactly what these talented female comic artists do. We found them all on Instagram, and they immediately made us hit the Follow Button. Take the Illustrator of Curves, who celebrates the diversity of women's bodies, J... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1702053761 | 1.0825899873959E+14 | I Did not know | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408686344_1012177693225917_3709286236160414222_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AmduhLfwI80AX-v2TOt&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDvXDi5w130oI6g6yqtXMH9Cgdk8EnWrtv7D64UtGUI5g&oe=6587F0C0 | person_profile | 0 | I Did not know | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408634419_1083686616106616_3262048168890593898_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ecCyD4uMyWwAX8kf7Y7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA9WUa9MSbqQJ-le7PE8-jRUJpnnJduyy4HjPsUuq5Luw&oe=6588D31C | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | I Did not know | 7318 | https://facebook.com/100087007873665 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55343 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:20 PM | 1703105769 | 1746746437 | 65 | 865801521688030 | 16 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951487020043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963132 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412221627_739211344748007_7491053614213984216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ENDH5igF7KsAX8vFjB0&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXi7cWbjdb-6ek2ncy3Ou5WDJS3NzOks3ZUjwkvrDn8w&oe=65890894 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55388 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:20 PM | 1703105769 | 1746746442 | 65 | 1336646400550954 | 7.047505505317E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120204062955550759 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702956697 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412269226_689938779787801_6454138089290138850_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=epY9xn96BRMAX_ecwan&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmPsG_hROLwsAWdK5e1rNTgxo5HLNwSDwDZ1qPYKcGjg&oe=6587EB37 | person_profile | 0 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412402805_850655100395619_8188331023684603192_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SXWshQCTXEgAX9CSHgM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC4WEyh7eRaBO-UuMKTcD40dQkNUvVoAST5BO-LZcfB2Q&oe=6588AFE6 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55542 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:20 PM | 1703105771 | 1746746447 | 65 | 224451197354736 | 2 | 3.6235990970517E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131765466694785 | 0 | FavorNovel | 120204774770050385 | play.google.com | Install now | NONE | image | Romantic novel💗 | Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories. | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel | 1702633136 | 1.3176546669478E+14 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410038365_1043829103612724_6343600471018942386_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dDSHEZAYMEQAX_fleZ2&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAJ39Q8wCHmfTPrOeyD68bcf5tMokzFhNcO55owtGQomg&oe=658781DF | person_profile | 0 | FavorNovel | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409970519_853597623128443_8342490516947574585_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oo9ahD5ZSy4AX8eyTjt&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAOYnGQhhvDGe8qqttzkmmhTH6hXsXwNZZrbz_NVOMrhg&oe=658906E1 | 0 | 3 | Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897 | FavorNovel | 498 | https://facebook.com/FavorNovel | 0 | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55307 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/2/25, 10:09 AM | 1703105768 | 1738512594 | 65 | 1515515995681499 | 1 | 1.0135330230573E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534145514096 | instagram.com | Send message | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1702996656 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412275196_1384208012195447_5897770524390373647_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JkmQuEKW9Q4AX-T7xkV&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCw0qyPZDaySdEMWeZAzx9x-H4rLGrq85B4qYbv0w63UA&oe=65881EC8 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412258191_1081609019529100_6169347443627728395_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vX3cyS9_ab0AX-tS9ZQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCncwO9JlDlQCn5DVhqRjJdIjZNEJnZ6Lk0D3jctmkbaw&oe=6588BDA8 | 0 | 3 | 🥰🥰🥰more cuties like her in studio please 🥰 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55891 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 6:21 PM | 1703105774 | 1746746479 | 65 | 1571901100213670 | 3.4194752855997E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1684359575156741 | 0 | Abby Sage | 6500417090689 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702079918 | 1.6843595751567E+15 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408054967_882658043177843_6352440868515549596_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p4k_lvL-fCUAX9mhCL3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD90nXMb2p2Q1eh4Inva08EZ--M0IRLAFGImAiP5H5L6A&oe=65874E58 | person_profile | 0 | Abby Sage | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408018972_24289746484006726_2043331045293907294_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xl69DOvoOnoAX-XWCmq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDfX5cyPnepSEyXGwgvUFQKUIxuGflqe1hQTgoayUydAw&oe=65886F9F | 0 | 3 | Excited to play Kilby Block Party - May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT2STS7fSc5P1kIqgeBPdEmEgQrzLW0NavWTj79emDVKqxMFSs6RjNKKxdzsq4at-GeJX2fw29LUdFUPaBBZCqVsdzggent3aYBfFZC_e-hMb2CXTV7BnRKEzfI3Vy5Xdi8JggLwShuoVV6QAeaxMFtuOa3P-pnzpqy5lVjeqts" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Abby Sage | 457 | https://facebook.com/AbbySageMusic | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56735 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/17/25, 8:21 PM | 1703105783 | 1750209671 | 65 | 726571152715601 | 1 | 7.805413174165E+14 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632036590115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796658 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405788386_881775970139987_1822419931548237970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kcC4r0cgm_IAX9q2o8Z&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAdvsFypNdFU5bF0YJoX3CfdC6xRS8u_GhrSM-GT1wYkA&oe=6588D006 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404318331_1063413041746293_3100961399915045145_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KWSWOnCdK-EAX9nrirn&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCrxkCSRE3LtEbvTxo0k5KKt2g43zLt2CNdUyzMPGR4Fw&oe=6587CB4A | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56582 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 10:46 AM | 1703105782 | 1745682410 | 65 | 723691265923461 | 9.5288120640458E+14 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 119816401108725 | 0 | Complete Day Magazine | 120201294380230716 | foodisinthehouse.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Los productores intentaron ocultar esto al público durante mucho tiempo, pero ahora, Joanna no solo rompió el silencio sobre su esposo, sino que también supimos lo que sucedió detrás de escena que terminó el programa. | Fixer Upper de HGTV es uno de los reality shows inmobiliarios más populares de todos los tiempos. Chip y Joanna Gaines se han vuelto súper famosos gracias a sus papeles en la presentación del programa súper popular y a las celebridades por derecho propio. Pero cuando su matrimonio comenzó a des... | https://foodisinthehouse.com/desarrollarse-verdad-j5-ext/ | 1701108972 | 1.1981640110872E+14 | Complete Day Magazine | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404815982_726488308920395_7638508549787767222_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=834-eitXE1oAX-YJi_s&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDbcZAwBLkcswdwqiQv8Hm-iOKlRqZFKG84Oai5A1_Zmw&oe=65879B39 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fixer Upper's Dark Downers: Los secretos ocultos detrás del exitoso programa de televisión. | Complete Day Magazine | 45 | https://facebook.com/100092596243928 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56519 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/27/25, 7:44 PM | 1703105781 | 1748393078 | 65 | 731981541696134 | 2 | 6.5250852625715E+14 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103144986091260 | 0 | CMG Daily-Choices US | 120201714798430520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701250782 | 1.0314498609126E+14 | CMG Daily-Choices US | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406123740_730621145161837_390819043400759784_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7BLAJ7ho2i8AX9z0-oO&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYT2P54wbW-Nr9Kp3uyqgYzKvSddlGgaJ0JVfoRzw2Xw&oe=6587EEFF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | CMG Daily-Choices US | 98 | https://facebook.com/cmg.dailychoices.us | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55786 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/2/25, 11:51 PM | 1703105773 | 1738561885 | 65 | 914993413314440 | 1 | 1.0681445808895E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 81551561368 | 0 | Charleston Animal Society | 120202795893530636 | charlestonanimalsociety.org | Donate now | NONE | video | Help Save Strawberry | http://charlestonanimalsociety.org/holiday-giving | 1702492607 | 81551561368 | Charleston Animal Society | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410422324_2441736776006824_1142480635036459664_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZW-KOudqCsEAX_uNrAD&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfA0x-UgkfyuSOAxjkl5mwHguNfIWMG6LNttgBL_0TlJoA&oe=65881BD6 | person_profile | 0 | Charleston Animal Society | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410436617_970467934417600_2233442931531397630_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ikNJK7TAKu0AX-n2Azl&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBA5oewxE8sJte-MuD1qmw6LGrSr9Np1KL5j9Jwcyjqug&oe=65883428 | 0 | 3 | Strawberry is just one of the almost 20,000 animals whose lives were touched by our Lifesaving Team in 2023. You can help us continue to be there for animals like her in 2024 by donating today at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FCharlestonAnimalSociety.org%2FHoliday-Giving&h=AT2qtR9PrlulgHfX0UBuQpCHsl0X2ozzTBLNneVLPxyTGn2Fa188fapzCQoJ-fcz1isrfG9F980E68YilPTuYKaZ2gOWUC15yofqNTEflEX241BFnGmMMLK9nBhePa5HEzJbfNMKb1O4afI9_m_Tj1EOk4g" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/Holiday-Giving</a>. <br /> <br /> This beautiful 21-year-old mare was found alone in a Ravenel field with only a bucket of dirty water and two bales of hay that appeared to be weeks old. Her ribs and spine were easily visible and her hooves were in a deplorable condition. If she had stayed in these conditions much longer, Strawberry's death would have been a guarantee. Thankfully, her suffering was brought to an end as she was seized by the sheriff's department and brought into our care. <br /> Today, Strawberry is nearly unrecognizable, having gained back the needed weight and now showing off a playful side to her personality, that had been absent in the timid horse who first came into our care in August. <br /> <br /> All donations made now through December 31st will be matched up to $25,000 thanks to a generous gift from Hank & Laurel Greer. <br /> <br /> Go to <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org%2FHoliday-Giving&h=AT2aBlnOlr8MT68AvWsE7B5iFdLTpG6kUFmLb7DsfIeRd8NpSYc_bfoloYjOlS9SnHdUZxiAU7L_zBwZBbyQ4915CTwWc6yRj-oGilGz-YgTG6qssK1TR2dB-oilCNa2NdEZEZ1dTnKtV8axV8Iu3CBhyJs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/Holiday-Giving</a> to help save lives. | Charleston Animal Society | 256016 | https://facebook.com/CharlestonAnimalSociety | 0 | DONATE_NOW | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55511 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/21/24, 10:07 AM | 1703105770 | 1732205232 | 65 | 372062801977544 | 1 | 3.6755545993483E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765560050465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702360 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410637154_651566273575143_6230926687895575042_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qhptN8Pa__QAX-5pXY5&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAKHjofqSyjx1nNRGZu4_Kded8IyQAaE4hnPaCN43Se-w&oe=65888175 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410692544_2523268544517802_1888092742560660695_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kI2VVs7xU28AX-dCS6V&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDZeKmSwgSdKlcEjr7GOoN11Nkm4fmrSvMV5rmvqwAfWw&oe=65880550 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56072 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 8:12 PM | 1703105776 | 1746753122 | 65 | 290625437306026 | 3.5398860056005E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202736237980520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Trouble in Chip and Joanna Gaines paradise | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702267274 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409574933_6276256995811353_353844251373739588_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j8C26nFcsssAX9anGWS&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDcC1nPZ_G-dGSMZaVqj4dTjjOGOSbJ99hO5GPcccHbaw&oe=65876658 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55429 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/20/25, 9:26 PM | 1703105769 | 1750472789 | 65 | 899256851453976 | 2 | 3.8225503758371E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534470948573 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898262 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410674343_1744734729365121_8330630127109463705_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b_t9y2Kh9_YAX_y5rvl&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDH5VGSETOj8tHkmXrBaU58vWvGrl-nQ65cr6XpRl23gQ&oe=6588CD3A | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410662821_822311716250658_5754943864370093328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oZSvwiPemskAX9fZMKf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBH9VjyYetcH0TB1MBIFdBhBbEqMTqQ2YH80CiNypOAgg&oe=65886561 | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT0dRTBW0J_WW7KMqpzl1IulJSVfCZkAmRRu1QqznS9jsNdIdOVqws8hL8PJyOFgd9q_gdPkhfwUOZ6WeietoRUIwjl-K7wL0NOX4PyKLwI1fLjW42T5JgUQkXcdYfvG_b0QBbk0gC2tBOj11waf_48aa9w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT3LdkVugsEKy2DPq6wbEF7PUV4ma2yYZoyg-PI7ZamTgFD-a7Eeduv6ndXlwQHtEhjZQw9cRgu1aX5UG2oQB-lWlvd8rM-Hy6A6A0gHUeFTiUlz1I_xEYDVm5Tw35451ybVtLbK3oEu-dukfAAe38WHdC0" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT1pAdLqN4Ej2JobD2GhxiIsDAkPjcR1AwoaHF44u6oEJGv_PUnwjfB5FeQIQGfw0OLQL8FgwCXj1tHqux6AOcPazKWUHGLadiQdrlr2nqC-m9ak6_CM9g6SVMG3QrT6uQl2lOgOj-xHKOMgtTQ4EK6CdVo" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55924 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/20/25, 9:50 PM | 1703105775 | 1750474211 | 65 | 313244448205701 | 8.8176926339419E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041733958 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421860 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409673114_896063808335038_443674993195812351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vw1mVNqlq3oAX8ew1Rt&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCvMFcst2H1xR9cyvwgbcNW0je18zqEDEBxxNMkft6ZBQ&oe=6587FBD5 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409675501_904469537915008_9150978147849529705_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IKsWdo5JogYAX81NJAm&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB8nKeq40Lf0YIwSED2T4uSeWnaUT519E8pCafKWvI9_A&oe=6587A3A4 | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56791 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/20/25, 9:36 AM | 1703105784 | 1745159811 | 65 | 3156801637949790 | 1 | 7.2022437333056E+14 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201123542160123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700827910 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404669616_1059190841779072_3274841490877304953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Eroba3h96NIAX-EGTpM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB9fJzIlNlCVP3XTdSPlPRcgSFxOst6uo1KdwRxrWLiEA&oe=65874D1F | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404622047_317803967710405_3244255085941417834_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nc8nvS3XQi0AX-IjhBw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAT9-l4hMKPpPeAhqHdeBhcvuP7S8hZcomfnzv_9zXbLw&oe=658816C7 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55612 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/20/25, 6:20 AM | 1703105771 | 1745148030 | 65 | 321408687372785 | 2 | 9.0161707156751E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205063105950729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702609664 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409881275_3775128566053914_1293634767427127078_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vvjSMTDAlIoAX8LN7tB&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCjDeJFGecSzly3BcpwQpF0wJnqR1x7VZOnEpQLVC7OVg&oe=6588ABDC | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409828089_882244433395239_4800663445552258095_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=occPsD-uf1oAX8-Ma_t&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAKyuavdYPR90xF0W2RBwa35ENJFKrE2p84ph0jGwJ4RA&oe=65879B4A | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56088 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/12/25, 5:44 AM | 1703105776 | 1744454662 | 65 | 1010331486703193 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108840675489698 | 0 | Fashion Factory 013 | 120202142998890028 | stylepro10.com | Shop now | 1 | NONE | dpa | Gift for JOANNA | https://stylepro10.com/m00l8af34/m00l8-af34-p241?pr=s1 | 1702198430 | 1.088406754897E+14 | Fashion Factory 013 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409528323_324284907106590_4628201893547577041_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G5Dc2nIeawAAX8ITdAK&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAIlztAJxaM9DaUw7sMUHb5yTTfmfnIB4_Td3kTS5eDLA&oe=65890649 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | (y) Give JOANNA the gift of luxury with our exclusive<br /> (y) Order Here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstylepro10.com%2Fm00l9af34%2Fm00l9-af34-p241%3Fpr%3Ds1&h=AT2x3HVTisX6Dn5YozaGM77Gw-VS9EaiORmhqZmj22_nkS1pCMMcmS4hL8nPtOuyac1qZh9_PC4_dwlLqZnZmXVay_mnmaH6IF7YS9kYXfKWpVt7geUoL1WC9PjT4lKmFpGTxHpVdtf5KI1u-Ehxi68mHjI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://stylepro10.com/m00l9af34/m00l9-af34-p241?pr=s1</a><br /> (y) Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstylepro10.com%2Fm00l8af34%2Fm00l8-af34-p241%3Fpr%3Ds1&h=AT3fCFZk9eqYvYhxBhDRyoLMwEzCkUN2F7E0kgK__YUQ1lEUWdLyGatlgI9DRN4bxy9TKYhTO7x57udt_Kf-L6O9Uep6C7SiZQmHYwunt1fD8Rh4YWnh6DjcgXNkMyu9884NjNVoyKIP0laKRri7N-NZ-ss" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://stylepro10.com/m00l8af34/m00l8-af34-p241?pr=s1</a> | Fashion Factory 013 | 18 | https://facebook.com/100090745096160 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56362 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/12/25, 12:13 AM | 1703105779 | 1749705196 | 65 | 326383076874379 | 1 | 3.1700957399595E+15 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108496948606039 | 0 | Pebbles Underground | 120202276402780354 | NONE | multi_images | 1701708655 | 1.0849694860604E+14 | Pebbles Underground | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407679130_901291147809490_2131392305267868983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RftypZ9K-rsAX8BSyTK&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAll_tXzLpNfP_jd0u_MeFN8sAoWAg7aL7Txj0xcnXUsw&oe=6588D719 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The last program of the year is out! <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpebblesunderground.art%2Fpgm7%2F&h=AT2Pf86LLMd0dqDHTACsAx4ZkeeFvFshItibKmL5NrqSSB4xbsOOgMjKClpCBNj8mED3H5xOnDqF_aZc46CVjOMIMosb96Lg87xG6iccd9cmnaH_sbzK6CttfRCOGcqRnkvNpKR1oFEAlAxSgIsJVg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://pebblesunderground.art/pgm7/</a> streaming till December 15. We’ll refrain from imposing our curatorial views on the audience, and let the films shine bright and speak for themselves. Let’s just say we’re honored to have these gems in our final yearly issue.<br /> <br /> Enjoy the program, and don’t forget to support your favorite artist by voting for their work! <br /> Presenting 🎥<br /> “HUSH” Tianming Zhou, USA, 2023<br /> “Arcadia” (Martwa Natura) Małgorzata Paszko, Poland, 2023<br /> “Reliquat” Alix Galdin, Canada, 2022<br /> “the lucid dream of the last poets (the threshold)” Eleonora Manca, Italy, 2023<br /> “the lucid dream of the last poets” Eleonora Manca, Italy, 2023<br /> “Soup Frog” Ethan Folk, Germany, 2022<br /> “A Peeling” Dimitry Saïd Chamy, USA, 2022<br /> “Flights” Anne Gart, UK, 2021<br /> “OvO” Benjamin Evan Williams, USA, 2022<br /> “Wet” (Molhada) Giovana Chiconelli, Portugal, 2023<br /> “Silence IV” (Լռության կաթիլային) Anna Grigorian, Armenia-Canada, 2023<br /> “Seafood Market” Maisie Luo, USA, 2023<br /> “A_biography” Alexander Schellow, France-Germany, 2017<br /> “Monolith” Teri Carson, Mexico-USA, 2023<br /> “1439” Jack Furtado, USA, 2020-2023<br /> “Turner” Joanna Mamede, Brazil-UK, 2023<br /> <br /> #experimental #pebblesunderground #officialselection #program7 | Pebbles Underground | 232 | https://facebook.com/pebblesunderground | 0 | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55276 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/12/25, 12:12 AM | 1703105768 | 1749705125 | 65 | 931808288330415 | 1 | 3.7509543489591E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104078388769004 | 0 | Steve Burzynski | 120202201230760461 | Contact us | NONE | image | NEW/PERFECT Hearth & Hand Magnolia Pedestal Farmhouse Dining Table with Wood Spindle Dining Chairs. | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/7332372776775510/ | 1703026748 | 1.04078388769E+14 | Steve Burzynski | regular_page | 1 | Steve Burzynski | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412702841_1402139157371663_5866673451789456636_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jTHloSUpnT8AX-DkpMN&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCq7kH6SFaHRGIpLTw3gBJRhNXrXQ5Oou1V1S0JWEWd_A&oe=65889CAF | 1 | 3 | NEW/PERFECT Hearth & Hand Magnolia Pedestal Farmhouse Dining Table with Wood Spindle Dining Chairs. - $625.00<br /> <br /> Warm and charming Hearth & Hand with Magnolia farmhouse dining table with wood spindle dining chairs. Just in time for Christmas!!! :)<br /> <br /> Compare at $1250 + tax + wait/delivery (Target)…. SAVE $$$ and Pick Up Locally Today!!! <br /> <br /> * Rectangle dinner table is perfect for families<br /> <br /> * Pedestal silhouette for a clean-lined display<br /> <br /> * Natural dining table creates a farmhouse-inspired charm<br /> <br /> * Offers enough space for dishes and accent pieces<br /> <br /> * Each is unique due to the natural variability in wood appearance and coloring<br /> <br /> Create a farmhouse-inspired dining setting with this Wood Dining Table from Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia. Set on a pedestal base, this brown dining table blends easily with your decor with its streamlined silhouette. This rectangle dining table provides enough space to create seating for six — just pair it with matching chairs to create a coordinated dining setting.<br /> <br /> Celebrate the everyday with Hearth & Hand — created exclusively for Target in collaboration with Magnolia, a home and lifestyle brand by Chip & Joanna Gaines. Built upon our shared commitment to giving back to our communities, these pieces reveal the beauty of everyday moments shared with family and friends.<br /> "Overall Width: 72 inches<br /> Overall Height: 30 inches<br /> Overall Depth: 36 inches<br /> Distance from floor to bottom of table top: 27.83 inches<br /> Distance between legs: 40.95 inches<br /> Depth of Legs base : 28.35 inches"<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Steve Burzynski | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100072919407480 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55372 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 9:58 PM | 1703105769 | 1746759520 | 65 | 1789275118178750 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56835 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 8:09 PM | 1703105785 | 1747012175 | 65 | 302339162636448 | 20 | 6.6684229876572E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207689160403 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724096 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404315467_693084352823541_6494322946607810584_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j9Tpjqh53HUAX_pA1Wr&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2EIhoPK1-8JrNEy_ibZXAWnZZkorc48fD07xKp4RnKA&oe=6587A697 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404309215_1487013545391213_6030249256830755082_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RvE83hTe4IgAX-6rbgV&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCEPnrf6nJu5co2vetoZ0kqQCGtRdVsMXREcWkWOHJ4ag&oe=6587B217 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56182 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/12/25, 3:43 AM | 1703105777 | 1749717800 | 65 | 1118270942868111 | 3 | 3.7245110544223E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672514610427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030370 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409019251_1466290550609463_6148920676473390081_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mg25U9RYeo0AX-VgtZd&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOud2RlbfYly2fgcEH3eW_zqCanMALw7FRtNnPZ5F8PA&oe=65881BA1 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408984892_2434777736711297_7130797190134727201_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q1iEkgNk0bYAX8JlwUU&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCbWKuNSKK7pSGmVfYTLzUz03qK7n7aEuxXhMRgMVl67w&oe=6588496D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56218 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/28/25, 7:17 AM | 1703105778 | 1748434649 | 65 | 3621578304779758 | 3 | 7.6676914194409E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202074126930476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702016013 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408455278_890812062594200_1209600207783221843_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e0-Z_SEefxoAX_42MMZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBplSRKQ8voVGld__xlvBeUnrdGLyQNYRpPSwv5Gidfdw&oe=6587AD73 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408419270_1388002311827290_4208470963009891324_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g_IrwyLIXUcAX9HpTc-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwom9Z-1RE8vZpqDBv52pIx205P-5QVxWjsfDOKaaUGw&oe=6587FCD5 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55292 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/29/25, 9:23 AM | 1703105768 | 1745936627 | 65 | 302388746125405 | 1 | 3.658725827912E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 356166611787536 | 0 | Beth Littlefield | 120204262330730081 | Buy now | NONE | image | Magnolia Homes Queen Size Linen Sheet Set from Hearth & Hand | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/696446549251949/ | 1703010558 | 3.5616661178754E+14 | Beth Littlefield | regular_page | 1 | Beth Littlefield | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412743966_1132914947874831_9223155948706741458_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u6uGBTyhNw4AX9Lq6hc&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC3e-affWYspos8xWHn0HzgH_ooJ1HU41CRyq3pRH2mNg&oe=6589195D | 1 | 3 | Magnolia Homes Queen Size Linen Sheet Set from Hearth & Hand - $25.00<br /> <br /> Can't say new because I washed it but as good as new. Used to stage an RV. Includes 2 pillowcases, fitted and flat sheet. Ultra soft linen in an understated solid hue. Double turned hems and decorative stitching make this a one of a kind set. Lost the bag but wrapped in nice string for gifting<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Beth Littlefield | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=1392342394 | 0 | BUY_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56983 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 6:16 AM | 1703105786 | 1746789389 | 65 | 1588070195267457 | 1.3699666969605E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201778998720250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677962 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404501919_1399764947592984_5324204061772205548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXFCrrITZpIAX_qUHfB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBgrnsduTU0tF1wJ346Cb5Zt5wbiGIWvdSP3Q7CL9deiQ&oe=65876157 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56406 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/2/25, 6:43 PM | 1703105780 | 1751499802 | 65 | 6755761684477656 | 1 | 2.1228461850161E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 107994988993702 | 0 | Joanna Joanna | 120200567893590328 | Contact us | NONE | image | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/2253917728132845/ | 1701531935 | 1.079949889937E+14 | Joanna Joanna | regular_page | 1 | Joey Rosado | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407088411_805678488234990_7557580433618271816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dM10439PeYUAX_VlTjt&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCq_9D98AJcCyN4Z5b07bYtRVKfWBCqacznDQlAmPEXRw&oe=65888A42 | 0 | 3 | 1 Bed 1 Bath - Apartment - $695.00<br /> <br /> 1 Bedroom 1 Bath apartment that’s undergone a stylish remodel:<br /> <br /> Modern 1BR, fully renovated with sleek finishes, open kitchen, and updated bathroom. Enjoy ample light, and a prime location. Close to shopping and restaurants. Don’t miss out. <br /> <br /> Apartamento de 1 dormitorio y 1 baño que ha sido remodelado con estilo:<br /> <br /> 1 dormitorio moderno, totalmente renovado con acabados elegantes, cocina abierta y baño actualizado. Disfrute de abundante luz y de una ubicación privilegiada. Cerca de tiendas y restaurantes. No te lo pierdas.<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Joanna | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100080150565277 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56944 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 10:14 PM | 1703105786 | 1747365296 | 65 | 1018128062604473 | 1.0021451142252E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779372070250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678800 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WzhiA5pG13sAX-IqDZ8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCz_IY7xkDqtTcxCvl3Z0HhgDUX2naBmLy1mnMbqcY9nA&oe=658766A6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55409 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/5/25, 7:15 AM | 1703105769 | 1738739700 | 65 | 1798002280627347 | 1 | 8.914503588714E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 108499622323700 | 0 | Joanna Krzeszowska | 120203209519070193 | Contact us | NONE | image | 2016 GULF STREAM - AMERI LITE 16bhc very cozy, super light, excellent condition, can sleep 4, suv or minivan towable, delivery can be arranged | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/369330679111528/ | 1702923404 | 1.084996223237E+14 | Joanna Krzeszowska | regular_page | 1 | Joanna Krzeszowska | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411671293_907227140825707_758139771373555399_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D9czc4ai_XcAX95V9NT&_nc_oc=AQnhuvYzKRbVsFEGidsndBk-7tX9mM5B-ClhZsZWPvAtX9YpQPKIKXFQTaFTJwYwHAc&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB59mooyTZ4s_AXa97qyWao0LVcVfII2QEL5Xz7Qw5jqA&oe=6588656F | 0 | 3 | 2016 GULF STREAM - AMERI LITE 16bhc very cozy, super light, excellent condition, can sleep 4, suv or minivan towable, delivery can be arranged - CA$14,500.00<br /> <br /> We are selling our beautiful GULF STREAM - AMERI LITE 16bhc travel trailer from 2016 in excellent condition. The trailer is ready to make memories and relax right away. Everything is in very good working condition. Always stored inside for winter. Very clean, dry, no leaks, no mold, no soft spot, roof like new. Very nice layout and unique interior finish.This AMERI LITE is the ideal small family trailer! Can sleep up to 4 people! With two bunk beds at the rear and a front folding table - queen bed. The AMERI LITE is all about comfort. A quick look inside will explain. Has on equipment: sink, fridge (propane or electric) with freezer, lots of storage, 2 burner stove, microwave, stereo, speakers, bathroom (toilet and shower) ,awning ( like brand new ), water heater, furnace, air conditioning, range hood, propane tank, battery. Tires are in perfect condition (90% of the tread), spare - brand new. Electric brakes (recently serviced). The Ultimate in Aerodynamics! If you love camping and you want trailer ready to go, this is right for you. All you need to do just pack and go to enjoy time with your family and friends.<br /> <br /> GVWR 3050 lbs.<br /> Dry Weight 2,590 lbs. <br /> Payload Capacity 460 lbs.<br /> Hitch Weight 330 lbs.<br /> <br /> We can guide you with all information you need to know how everything is working. No trades!!! You won’t be disappointed in this one. Please message for more details or to make an appointment to view. More photos are available on request. Delivery within a reasonable distance can be arranged.<br /> Facebook Marketplace | Joanna Krzeszowska | 0 | /marketplace/?seller_profile=100009296182458 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55935 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/15/25, 11:06 AM | 1703105775 | 1744733207 | 65 | 1037974150787188 | 2 | 2.1352928201397E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120202098704170647 | leonis.gr | Learn more | NONE | image | http://www.leonis.gr/ | 1702391615 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409602799_361837913056725_5132234775297137907_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K3RQnMcdAgUAX8L5uUx&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAri-vubi0ne2s5_nYQkNpNVZk_78UT_WWd2Y7W9MuLyg&oe=6588ABF6 | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409568200_3290616874571306_7120232454040463514_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oi7ZzK2OsHMAX82jMeM&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAkDBTqjxAy_c5MzmvD4TmJbYDk0Yc65jl0UhtmUUDfkg&oe=65889BA2 | 0 | 3 | To think that this is just half of the sea view available at Leonis Summer Houses. The hotel looks over Ornos beach as well, just 500m away and offering more than a few options for lunch or dinner.<br /> <br /> It’s no secret that our guests can’t get enough of this view, which is why we have filled the hotel with the most comfortable bean bags, loungers, sofas, chairs, all spread throughout the property and in place to ensure that everyone will always have the perfect spot to lay back and enjoy this breathtaking picture.<br /> <br /> If you’d like to get a taste of the holiday experience that we have been perfecting since 2012, all you have to do is make your reservation at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT1wgk7kZESH_hqpu3VXPTkhYKaWvLA5PFARhFq5I40y1mOiMe_k4uXaGC7eBKHmMd5aLyBj3RE4exXqRcnMZy6wExx9psku0uKfgfhowbZ_5S8Hao3gNe6gjZcPzPs_DZNuml4ra7ok_zKHwSM67Rir1YfPP3T4uA5NDw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or send your request at welcome@leonis.gr<br /> <br /> Season Premiere 20 April 2024<br /> <br /> #mykonos #greece #hotel #travel #photooftheday | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55254 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/5/25, 4:22 AM | 1703105768 | 1738750952 | 65 | 829800232058079 | 1 | 9.9801641818123E+14 | 1694415600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23854849260950562 | https://projektbogini.pl | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔴14 DNI ODCZARUJ BOLESNE WZORCE MIŁOŚCI | Dla kobiet mądrych, czułych kochających. Które tkwią w szponach NIERÓWNYCH RELACJI. Odkryj, odczaruj, uwolnij aż 30 NIEUŚWIADOMIONYCH wzorców, emocji, zachowań, przez które wikłasz się w nierówne relacje. "Odczaruj Bolesne Wzorce Miłości" w zaledwie 14 dni Przeznacz siebie do wielk... | https://projektbogini.pl/ | 1684701738 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/348609482_609774657756587_7631710877458967321_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uCEFtfjUoYcAX849S2I&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD--VNM3w2a1UfBDs-Nadajf9OafOpy8fB-4jNcUjlGlg&oe=65876F51 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🔴Czego NIGDY NIE ODZYSKASZ w relacji, która jest nierówna?<br /> Ale możesz uratować pozostałą tego część…<br /> NIE ODZYSKASZ …,na pewno<br /> <br /> CZASU:<br /> <br /> - kiedy ufałaś i wierzyłaś, że on się zmieni, a nadal on robi co robił,<br /> - czasu "cudownych" chwil z nim, za ostateczną cenę poczucia bólu, samotności, tęsknoty, dezorientacji, zawieszenia w oczekiwaniu na....<br /> - czasu, który ciągle dajesz Z SIEBIE WSZYSTKO, czekając, aż on się zmieni,<br /> - czasu, w którym coś cię zatrzymuje przed podjęciem decyzji,<br /> - czasu, w którym tkwisz w zawieszeniu....<br /> <br /> Bo <br /> <br /> PRAWDA JEST TAKA, ŻE ZMIENI SIĘ ON,<br /> TWOJE ŻYCIE, <br /> KIEDY TY SIĘ ZMIENISZ.<br /> <br /> KIEDY SWÓJ CZAS USTANOWISZ PRIORYTETEM DLA SIEBIE.<br /> <br /> I TEN CZAS WYKORZYSTASZ DLA SIEBIE.<br /> <br /> DLA ZBUDOWANIA SWOJEJ KOBIECEJ MOCY.<br /> <br /> DLA ZMIANY ZASAD W TEJ NIERÓWNEJ GRZE.<br /> <br /> 🔴🔴🔴<br /> A wtedy on zobaczy w Tobie kobietę, dla której się chce zdobywać szczyty, iść na koniec świata, zmienić się samemu.<br /> 🔴<br /> TERAZ JEST TWÓJ CZAS.<br /> <br /> CO MOŻESZ ZMIENIĆ NAJPIERW?<br /> <br /> Zdecydować, że wybierasz siebie.<br /> I stawiasz siebie na 1-szym miejscu. <br /> <br /> Nawet, jak teraz nie wiesz, co to znaczy, i czym to jest.<br /> <br /> Możesz zmienić to co <br /> powoduje, że w tym wszystkim czujesz więcej smutku, bólu, niepewności, zamętu… <br /> <br /> Na to co jest MIŁOŚCIĄ<br /> <br /> Teraz jest ten CZAS:<br /> <br /> TU WEJDŹ <br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprojektbogini.pl%2F&h=AT0-CLfKh5o0r4_8rW9CIrVIzwT13Gz9Zxl6Hxi1P_lt7r7GtPkrZldRpGUIsBobag1Dw-D3P6kmndWfj3H9eIXvVnIbebAN1DeFjQo-GNxg22dMzOlf3D776FZKGLSxdBcyRJ_YuM1GO7-_Rvcysw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://projektbogini.pl/</a> | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694156400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55651 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/29/25, 2:14 PM | 1703105772 | 1745954050 | 65 | 1756117194857819 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102221635727945 | 0 | On This Day | 120202810580400518 | pastchronicles.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.pastchronicles.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702566989 | 1.0222163572794E+14 | On This Day | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409407061_1983397175367393_2035128548325238315_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B_GUsA8X7cQAX-nJgl8&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDYUUrFzBySiQlqSbDy4XaPmpajfjPPdSl1yAZpZrCR-w&oe=6588F993 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | On This Day | 5423 | https://facebook.com/100078223331969 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56144 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 9:47 AM | 1703105777 | 1746802038 | 65 | 1014699779759112 | 1 | 1.3389987833941E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155245990476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094661 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408797473_3152658535042194_4833859309080543615_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LyepWoqzdGUAX_iGsmD&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC59tJ3tfiOntOl9A_l0MP0iyeJVBag0QczQmoV1sLn6g&oe=6587B2BC | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408880893_334317096003431_2686725523859032184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SjmNiI8hYzoAX938Ty_&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9RkHzN_o6-8kfHL97JZJT5ukGoVnUiCYnyS_-O36iEg&oe=6588B53C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55452 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/6/25, 8:01 PM | 1703105770 | 1741312901 | 65 | 330790693140046 | 3 | 2.0712646832072E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 107782662260298 | 0 | Tony Johnson | 120201984208210452 | gotonyjohnson.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Run 3x A Week For Your Marathon | The Marathon Training Starter Kit is everything you need to run your half or full marathon | https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit | 1702864665 | 1.077826622603E+14 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412346597_401153695600527_4463493187520922661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nHblHhirrO4AX_vjBaN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB1nvTVWZb-th-AVIZCQaa9yBtY1ZHrrRmaQlGxoqzevQ&oe=6588376A | person_profile | 0 | Tony Johnson | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412299780_3674401809511746_2487736885419802400_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sBeH6hT_e4UAX9rF8rJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeJJVWz47woldLO5MgMCDX3t530-tDc-xGxmeXv23R8w&oe=6588E9BD | 0 | 3 | Attention Marathon Runners: Run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks or less for ONLY $17<br /> <br /> (If you don't run your half or full marathon in 16 weeks, I'll give you a $100 for wasting your time)<br /> <br /> Introducing The Marathon Training Starter Kit!<br /> <br /> This unique style of training has not only helped me, but also 200+ beginner and seasoned runners run their half or full marathons like…<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Joanna won a gold medal on her first half marathon<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Abby ran her first marathon in 4 hours with just 9 weeks of training<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Salma ran her first marathon in 4:28 after overcoming a pelvic stress fracture.<br /> <br /> The 'Marathon Training Starter Kit’ for ONLY $17 helps people like you easily run their half or full marathons in 16 weeks or less…<br /> <br /> ✅ without running 4+ times per week<br /> ✅ without running speed intervals or hills<br /> ✅ without dealing with constant overuse injuries<br /> ✅ without getting burned out or bored<br /> <br /> Run your half or full marathon injury free and finish with a time you are proud of, while also becoming the strongest, most confident version of yourself…<br /> <br /> Click the link below to get instant access to “The Marathon Training Starter Kit’ and start your training today for just $17.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gotonyjohnson.com%2Fmarathon-training-starter-kit&h=AT0aKCUWuFzfZKEcXeGgduBEpW01v5VdnIL_6DusRfpJmFyUgSXYZYPHIPP8KSwV_0KjQiCHGHXmMtaLDp36y5asIu5z21WS4vEdgeRIi5m_jeqgqoMhP8MfYBpTUg9atRqv1bzv4eXnDgxW1sUiQAsS_Mc" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.gotonyjohnson.com/marathon-training-starter-kit</a><br /> <br /> See ya inside,<br /> Tony Johnson | Tony Johnson | 438 | https://facebook.com/coachtonyjohnson.10 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55521 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 3:07 AM | 1703105770 | 1731143264 | 65 | 1816628588755686 | 1 | 1.0747694968945E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765648080465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702449 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410872961_881759313344475_4341595628370348449_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tizNh22LQkgAX8GgQ_z&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD5BLRKpiSYHfoY57_hN4Rp1qC1CV2OGPGJVzsDeXhVhg&oe=6588E602 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410840973_3181875485279103_3638810345019033802_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CDZEvxjhmzsAX_yHIvB&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDh7nkrPZX7zvWR2xnawMj-11_E6pMmhchpB3DYZsogxA&oe=65884EF5 | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55473 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 4:25 PM | 1703105770 | 1731191104 | 65 | 294676540235422 | 1 | 6.5727002299509E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 196816150669908 | 0 | Joanna's Wedding & Flowers | 6591366951609 | Send message | NONE | multi_images | 1702842716 | 1.9681615066991E+14 | Joanna's Wedding & Flowers | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410886977_884773766557281_5751231736679592997_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v8sQFzUGzbIAX-rahHW&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAi_RgoyLz2v8-A3bqu4GbuS_sdjhxf4l_54Z0SjV56kg&oe=65875F84 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Vestidos de Bautizo Para Niña 0-6 paquetes 30%off | Joanna's Wedding & Flowers | 1308 | https://facebook.com/joannasweddingandflowers | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55421 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 10:32 AM | 1703105769 | 1731169949 | 65 | 1028004541821145 | 3.7770544798512E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 541829670064587 | 0 | The Goat Manchester | 120204729476790066 | thegoat.fanlink.to | Buy tickets | NONE | video | Granite Lion Presents: SunDub + Mighty Mystic + Green Lion Crew | Sun, Jan 7 | The Goat | Manchester, NH | https://thegoat.fanlink.to/010724 | 1702913800 | 5.4182967006459E+14 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411851475_1095692144921400_2513855467810894941_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YVqeItqt2ZcAX_BH2E1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhp0sGMD7u6QUauDcBjcDzMwxg0NpI4ehFp14oVmmBlg&oe=65880279 | person_profile | 0 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412337792_683797797196334_4247667404787222207_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DI4h6ewmLuMAX-hLvuU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACd8gbdMIfgusVZAvJW-o7wIVJ881QrA6a2PRRbnFhWA&oe=6588660E | 0 | 3 | 🎉 Get Ready to groove! Sundub & Mighty Mystic are hitting The Goat in Manchester, NH 🐐✨ Jan 7, Sunday. Special beats by Green Lion Crew! 🔥 Don't miss this epic night! | The Goat Manchester | 10480 | https://facebook.com/goatbarmanchester | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56330 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 11:16 AM | 1703105779 | 1731172611 | 65 | 7284723021538200 | 8.5974544916968E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113444458245067 | 0 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | 120203425098500134 | thegigglezone.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 30+ Illustrations Show The Reality Of Women | In the colorful panels and witty punchlines of today's comics, female illustrators capture the essence of women's experiences with a vibrancy that resonates deeply. These artists bring to life the joys, struggles, and the often unspoken realities of womanhood with a deftness that's as empowering as.... | https://thegigglezone.com/koen/nobody-understands-women-better-than-these-female-cartoon-artists | 1701808925 | 1.1344445824507E+14 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407751033_262098943532749_7089506565599897863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eXDK9MwKw2oAX8jpD5U&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCY8aCJV4DcFKPZ7qOsJCXtnAt18fzo_srknhB7_bbJ2A&oe=6587C6CE | person_profile | 0 | Djemba Djemba entertainment | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407875508_1062201511578579_4159620002358926723_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W6rr0wHEmzQAX_06a6k&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB62cNrV_-ch2kU0-oPfw_2-WD_vnP17AoWqbZftj4Tfw&oe=6588A86B | 0 | 3 | Nobody understands women better than these female cartoon artists | Djemba Djemba entertainment | 33 | https://facebook.com/100087878262291 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56219 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/9/24, 5:39 PM | 1703105778 | 1731173946 | 65 | 1403882873888564 | 3 | 7.5116725421861E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 180509371811143 | 0 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-17 | 120201389158450511 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your Family | JOANNA-A66 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a66-1 | 1702021637 | 1.8050937181114E+14 | FamilyShirt A16Nu-17 | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406750100_240389435591362_8137292912774630804_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fvW18fZRNvAAX_M_tnl&_nc_oc=AQmSLLEMUqsMux2-vSAHWQ7Y0rQ1S3tTHhDFHOgjNRnK0mcDgcYHLvsRRveRNTvxBTxyASr2bFh-czOuCKyzG1eE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDucDdCAD5jm4A6AdT8iVAls2Nzpyfg-smYGQtlY8-QzA&oe=65879452 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT385fUxuJsh8BI5arxhjQ6-XFrBIhgvSPvLAqp5soah-YS7_yNfYFJHALYCCfy-KfypsrG5XYqwFgFCXrvSF1Iq6t5Fhmz7WNIiehadCL8R1Wop82wrQLkp81K7tBzS5fPKGsyzzRXyvzmclRxcZTumU03_btco0StSNQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | FamilyShirt A16Nu-17 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61553831354064 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55793 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/18/25, 2:17 AM | 1703105773 | 1737188263 | 65 | 3526166507596565 | 1 | 1.6933656623616E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120202399883660123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1702480982 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409730914_1550999019007348_6993942027030429234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PEzTWVBGHdQAX_LfxsF&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCIAiBQ8dmhOAgGClLZ1yMxzkKGdEY9vFSXIXmm2RUyOw&oe=65887BB6 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409669816_298788289820031_8128377256386018902_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x5DS0VINosAAX-wU9Sq&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfACJAdDSlo9LMBrra-D0ZmymL4pEV5ggOw4F-jZHViTrQ&oe=6587C742 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56747 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 3:30 PM | 1703105784 | 1748118614 | 65 | 1906631426495013 | 2 | 6.5809304620168E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632031670115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796608 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404754130_1504797720374820_2625222085436014967_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0bYu1Woxt4UAX_rvU-w&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDhzjNzXxmaX41DvuDX2XHBq8BLpp5bCzYvOXbV_i-7jg&oe=6588F0BB | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404763510_1075318726810797_4541919164431640668_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gLYnVqrwBDkAX_2-EFv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHe2WuyISuRqNHjSPAmGYT6sfR6d5r8dODF_mq1s8AlQ&oe=6587EE54 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56802 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 3:44 PM | 1703105784 | 1748119476 | 65 | 671039668489402 | 1 | 6.4747412424125E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632020970115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796603 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403632539_862438855812093_6590719725102648626_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oE5AGLWl8YMAX9FKIRt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDFfe1HOmOuD__EEV663vN8gL7TJ6PkXyeAKaVj02vkEw&oe=65887976 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403628054_369386612208440_6880687477178006167_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MnFwzkaMdtsAX_g5YrK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDEh5KJYArboUQRbsw0h8eQa8ZRVlFhdFaPQ9DmQBKDoQ&oe=6588781B | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56822 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/24/25, 3:44 PM | 1703105784 | 1748119483 | 65 | 1027891188461627 | 1 | 3.7322615179382E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 113576797162972 | 0 | The Good Life | 120202103638910704 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700772130 | 1.1357679716297E+14 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404950373_1566447254148233_8768777104621549872_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6UtN8CJ2CngAX8R6VFU&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBQPlfQIan9zKUvG0lsKOwd-vahXsN4XV8ElKg3Ad3PSg&oe=65881C92 | person_profile | 0 | The Good Life | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405009884_1143699143277101_5046268880874930735_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WQSHlQhAJ48AX-VS_Jg&_nc_oc=AQmkeHUFd8zlznxZbxDcW8jN2RLDtLkMSOZf-LrdP6Rc0uXfhRbnlUOPb2GtN4mYlYA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD7yA3oDG5eBn4yc0xDwx3v2e-uK1U6ZOxrw4GLBA_8BA&oe=65889FAC | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | The Good Life | 102 | https://facebook.com/100064184615808 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55419 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/7/25, 12:28 PM | 1703105769 | 1738931283 | 65 | 660922842916641 | 4 | 3.7770544798512E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 541829670064587 | 0 | The Goat Manchester | 120204729476790066 | thegoat.fanlink.to | Buy tickets | NONE | video | Granite Lion Presents: SunDub + Mighty Mystic + Green Lion Crew | Sun, Jan 7 | The Goat | Manchester, NH | https://thegoat.fanlink.to/010724 | 1702913800 | 5.4182967006459E+14 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411851475_1095692144921400_2513855467810894941_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YVqeItqt2ZcAX_BH2E1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhp0sGMD7u6QUauDcBjcDzMwxg0NpI4ehFp14oVmmBlg&oe=65880279 | person_profile | 0 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412337792_683797797196334_4247667404787222207_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DI4h6ewmLuMAX-hLvuU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACd8gbdMIfgusVZAvJW-o7wIVJ881QrA6a2PRRbnFhWA&oe=6588660E | 0 | 3 | 🎉 Get Ready to groove! Sundub & Mighty Mystic are hitting The Goat in Manchester, NH 🐐✨ Jan 7, Sunday. Special beats by Green Lion Crew! 🔥 Don't miss this epic night! | The Goat Manchester | 10480 | https://facebook.com/goatbarmanchester | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56941 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/20/25, 8:52 PM | 1703105786 | 1745200361 | 65 | 863050158832945 | 5 | 8.4403303105709E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114866079891340 | 0 | Trivia.com | 120200721167820167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679091 | 1.1486607989134E+14 | Trivia.com | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403062126_649605070587053_234047071631406610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-euXXFd5rD4AX-PZCIe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAhMAdrvjQXVRPdd3CQBZ2PHzojk66VgkoK-csqVbezbg&oe=6587DA27 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Trivia.com | 19814 | https://facebook.com/100063472063438 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56587 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/18/25, 4:44 AM | 1703105782 | 1742291042 | 65 | 3618865428439491 | 5 | 8.2664844612731E+14 | 1701849600 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 111678618706116 | 0 | Family Shirts A23-N2 | 120201069201890189 | myfamilyshirt.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA F1 | Best gifts for your Family | https://myfamilyshirt.store/joanna-f1 | 1700206315 | 1.1167861870612E+14 | Family Shirts A23-N2 | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402151708_1386397085294853_1454024618674960615_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QIqb0q4qQmEAX9VW9Ve&_nc_oc=AQniGcYuYv3WdhFB24phN-oyWVm8N5Cca9TunbMHWkFXcW1N2CJGuYJsZy2nG9PnBiE&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfB-yBirsrMtHE1ft0SCdL2wW9y3sKEGz6CrntesI0QCvg&oe=65884353 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyfamilyshirt.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0GRC3Ii1pjeEx7aijDtwwqL4x0wgK1dq8LrQ4s7GFN2JD9204FnmIiU0tSEgvD8lmkgqf0ocPXPuwTkaDOSJEjlUe1IXXg4KdfvHIV155O2-jp9DRmGk74qEL5lrp92o7K6SrICQhvY3wJesBNZg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myfamilyshirt.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Shirts A23-N2 | 10 | https://facebook.com/61552925999799 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55705 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/28/25, 10:41 PM | 1703105772 | 1748490089 | 65 | 692715896259301 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202703383350367 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702541360 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411187836_351347074347836_5334243224309784450_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KQQHyiyg4twAX9WTYDq&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDTKxt51hGKYbqVLIXX5j2i6n9W61XXk2kLifvCl99OJw&oe=6589379C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55842 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/21/25, 2:06 AM | 1703105774 | 1745219183 | 65 | 694720479116848 | 1 | 1.9070232411761E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411463210044 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458252 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409913789_842599084322606_3688115559935730520_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z-ltKr-cW6AAX_M83U8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDuik5xrf7Ezr54E3EW1FCBocKMbP_RKv8Jy6gkiLmT9Q&oe=6587A926 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408189809_1951479011904197_2452629218915768285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rC5uACehVOYAX8Rtl4j&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAt-DUZr4_okEwhZCIFJI_lP8ocxnsWgCCfFC4MC_wPEw&oe=65892388 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56846 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/10/24, 2:05 AM | 1703105785 | 1731225904 | 65 | 847483077058765 | 2 | 1.2862751187325E+15 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114302685099444 | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 120201207901090403 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700724558 | 1.1430268509944E+14 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404312303_307820152164115_5863131350545221614_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eQlcZxKkw10AX9QxGbl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-vbYB0jLydDyvsLIEp5WCDbMl0zk9T1WNNQiVwt-Yeg&oe=658933A5 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404292890_892405562487673_6143366633045735439_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JGflaNspJ6EAX8iT79w&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBfQFuWOILYhtddVLU7WJ9_sSttBnZRSSZV86dWruc8_A&oe=65881714 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | Lereader-Excellent Novel | 213 | https://facebook.com/61550357834620 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56265 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/20/25, 11:35 PM | 1703105778 | 1745210158 | 65 | 1360214954866490 | 1 | 7.3189202214555E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997250830476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940658 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408141660_650380583913838_85808061708001970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JnEqpFZrG7YAX9H35o9&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB-lHetRR4VKRo1wPpNjR4kTuBl8yFAF0ahjOYu4CdwCQ&oe=6587710B | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408829195_1577673746335485_4537020419839940038_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CdxO5JkYsXYAX9tYYyH&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCKEPltfSMQTRbz5pKyzkkLg5NArgyVNRpvYfIEA4QiZQ&oe=6588E1B8 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56566 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/3/25, 11:02 PM | 1703105782 | 1751601733 | 65 | 720420256668813 | 2 | 1.0635633716546E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300675230596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151578 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406198902_857711609188283_5851805092701162777_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sqbHhaYb94sAX-0sJlp&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA9F8nhRWIYO2dl1ec8GMABcsA3LxWIVh_qIsYHriwxFg&oe=6587EC81 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406182219_366309862624069_6543092090495103040_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2liP5uTTMBEAX9_XXju&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAgPeRyRLfymjbs4AVKUvSfKiFeOLP30a4IGrn3DvJ9wQ&oe=65875FC2 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56662 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 2:52 PM | 1703105783 | 1746820347 | 65 | 1794322311081308 | 2 | 1.0635633716546E+15 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281116190596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068284 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406009077_370999825502442_3286783574388237395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b6HGsFcVVKYAX8StbMk&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAvi_Bk_0QLObuS8khevImzB9T5CfkviphYafAwr2-HDA&oe=65875FED | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406004375_1288077715920029_772822929585063968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NBUH2FslI3AAX_BhuXE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZl74TsFlas4R2zrNpEFXBRUbTzr9fhLofUf6O4R80eg&oe=6588D51F | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55445 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/13/25, 11:21 PM | 1703105770 | 1744604515 | 65 | 260551447036319 | 3.634585093535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202487608130307 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702879537 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412386584_1551547335620343_5690560488018002229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qv2ibjx3HzgAX_meR_r&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAdzzAjcQukeJTaU7Di3BSwIAnMWMr1BOsW03elvs35ig&oe=65890EC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55720 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/15/24, 6:55 AM | 1703105772 | 1731675307 | 65 | 1569581543785954 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 148817324986321 | 0 | Savvy Nickel | 120202889476180722 | savvydime.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.savvydime.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702469315 | 1.4881732498632E+14 | Savvy Nickel | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409932106_341822498606359_8998630820299666796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R8-tBu2dG8EAX-B3TDD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD3zdmqhrV7whojEDqgMYOJ_3lc3h9S1vPowq6S1VYOOw&oe=658918FD | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Savvy Nickel | 40 | https://facebook.com/61552619835440 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56340 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/8/25, 11:27 AM | 1703105779 | 1739035659 | 65 | 1416405115622723 | 3 | 5.7004512862127E+14 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 308901506171176 | 0 | Luluna Slings | 6522365506701 | No button | NONE | multi_images | 1701774968 | 3.0890150617118E+14 | Luluna Slings | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407116754_891600059186497_8298924628716235419_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FcMQr931rkkAX-WXGm7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCFwPItMOfvITMN3oWdsMLQGMSLjeFT_ljcb95yw_8hxw&oe=6588B024 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | 🐺 DRAW TO PURCHASE 🐺 <br /> Saint Nicholas' Day FREE SHIPPING <br /> <br /> GEO WOLF MOONLIGHT<br /> 100% combed cotton, approx. 270 gsm<br /> <br /> Wolves Lovers,<br /> It's been long time when last Geo Wolf was here! Very long time! So now we want you remind about this beautiful pattern! Please welcome new Geo Wolf Moonlight ♥ It comes from the depths of space and it is looking for a new loving home! Do you know that there is a constellation called the Wolf? From Latin they call it "Lupus" and it is located in the deep Southern Sky! This pattern is simple beautiful. <br /> The Wolf Moonlight is very strong and durable because of high quality combed cotton. It is equally cuddly and soft at the same time. Amazing shades of black looks very magical like black night - just like the sky in the night full of shiny... Wolves! <br /> <br /> Available:<br /> s7 (5,2m) for €119<br /> s6 (4,6m) for €114<br /> s5 (4,2m) for €109<br /> s4 (3,6m) for €104<br /> s3 (3,2m) for €99<br /> scarf (2,0m) for €84<br /> <br /> Everyone who wants to purchase a wrap, please email us at lulunaslings@gmail.com <br /> Remember to include the size of the wrap you’d like to buy and of course your PayPal address! <br /> If you don't have PayPal please add info that you want to pay via bank transfer / credit card. <br /> The draw lasts until December 6th and we will send a message to happy winners about 10 a.m. CET.<br /> You have 1h to make a payment once you receive invoice from us.<br /> If you are outside Europe please let us know the country. Because of time difference we will give you more time to pay.<br /> Because we celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day 6th December there is free shipping for you as gift ♥<br /> <br /> Luluna <br /> <br /> (c) Luluna Slings (c) Joanna Weyna<br /> <br /> #wolfteam | Luluna Slings | 50486 | https://facebook.com/lulunaslings | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56757 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 4:40 PM | 1703105784 | 1746826811 | 65 | 314692641370618 | 1 | 3.136211781026E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200360107530122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700883336 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404606949_1401359444093230_1393609806848897096_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nHQLAbdfUrEAX_BobIe&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfB_Zc0kSZSPqG6jagHWmI5zby5YMMqB6oK7tynbeAfHMA&oe=658871AF | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404270039_193645773800735_7826559042814044294_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0TvnWjyGUVsAX9GpGzL&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDmtUu4LZFJheQrpCjQKfavUBg8cdp5KjZ_TC-bFqdPFQ&oe=6588870F | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55433 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 4:45 PM | 1703105769 | 1746827120 | 65 | 1413066669293024 | 2 | 9.0318180776023E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 218789368308514 | 0 | 21 Draw | 6534471331173 | 21-draw.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Painting Portraits using Gouache | Offer Expires soon! So Hurry! | https://www.21-draw.com/course/painting-portraits-in-gouache/ | 1702898308 | 2.1878936830851E+14 | 21 Draw | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410928386_896127521730137_6087692828083529154_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AeKp_Z0iiW0AX8vwybd&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCwbEgFW0TCN7fhk_HhnBb9TAKS7Z-0OG1qgt5uyx0n3w&oe=65888596 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410958806_358410613505281_200806254127715030_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vZ2UXrahTS4AX_3_9OM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD2M4zT2N1gDCMhNWAE84ilm1vrokeOnfHefuQ0iFyvhA&oe=658784DE | 0 | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a fantastic course and so relaxing to watch. I was mesmerized. I use gouache often, but learned a lot from watching the layering technique with a large flat brush. Thank you for sharing your process and all the valuable tips! (Joanna)<br /> <br /> Do you feel intimidated, assuming it’s an advanced skill that only professional artists can master?<br /> Well, good news! It’s MUCH easier than you might think! Get ready to learn the basics of painting portraits and techniques for using gouache!<br /> Your instructor, Jordan Rhodes, demystifies the process of portrait painting, by explaining in detail each step, giving you clear demonstrations and teaching you easy techniques that you can use right away. With Jordan’s guidance and helpful tips, you’ll realize that creating a portrait is nowhere near as daunting as you thought!<br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out the course and watch some FREE lessons: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcour&h=AT2F475VOD55C5vSWX0lpvGtJvWm7UtdqfU9dk3b7RYP5KCWUfpv1lDjbQCLd0cN8PK0_p9t79P-d1-UlJ5BBfzAqIlO8cq2UW39notSuodtnapkjfYsyqJ2fQUT0Nki_iIl_HjUejC86SQI1aoPV1p_EGw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/cour</a>…/painting-portraits-in-gouache/<br /> <br /> Discover what’s in store for you in this course: <br /> <br /> ✅ Discover how to paint your very own portrait<br /> ✅ Learn about gouache and how to use it<br /> ✅ Learn how to prepare your paper and set up your workspace<br /> ✅ Learn Jordan’s techniques for mixing colors and blending<br /> ✅ Understand the planes of the face and divide a face into several values<br /> ✅ Get started by painting a base & value layer<br /> ✅ Understand how to build up layers and control opacity<br /> ✅ How to add details to the portrait and clean up edges<br /> <br /> This is just one of many fantastic courses on 21 Draw! With an annual membership, you will have access to a full library of high-quality courses taught by industry experts! <br /> <br /> 👉️ Check out other amazing courses: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2Fcourse%2F&h=AT3Vc4tpBRJvyyiPjQ2qFgyaQGqhm8AY2L7rDQ1VJ9AT_926w-gL_g_uouk8W9mn8C0C8u6vFX-8vHj-IUVA13QwK8KHmoh0X4VvZt1aAxgeBCDyK7FvLQy2WkmzzMITAfl12OBrGAD3ugquFZq87ZBjwcA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/course/</a><br /> <br /> Some of the course subjects include: <br /> 🖌️ Lighting and Shading<br /> 🖌️ Human Anatomy<br /> 🖌️ Facial Expressions<br /> 🖌️ Dynamic Poses<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Procreate<br /> 🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop<br /> 🖌️ Drawing Landscapes<br /> 🖌️ .... and MUCH more!<br /> <br /> All these and many other value-packed courses are up for grabs for a limited time at 75% OFF! 👀😲<br /> <br /> 👉️ Start learning today: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21-draw.com%2F&h=AT3qFiVJspgdcvl0zRtrMxWEbBBTSH4Ao72Q2MljzPpT5EMH5sq0CrtFaJo8JgvP53T7vQH18_C25U-GWn0aFKh2_viiiVo-2ommDLkOoYB2ZNkZH0qN0I6K7pBy702CBBCbMeR5B_4yCNvxRvOY0kqU_Xw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.21-draw.com/</a> | 21 Draw | 129426 | https://facebook.com/21draw | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55912 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/10/25, 9:37 PM | 1703105774 | 1744339058 | 65 | 700879045350636 | 1.1183296461916E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6871006677 | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | 6500413723489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702078948 | 6871006677 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409044128_709826784454363_5960165717812352612_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8kJyzWWDdGgAX_IOuAO&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCrAPo7ogWX5gA_1iCgGpUKj5893XnEvzYWWXaRP_eXaw&oe=65883E78 | person_profile | 0 | Death Cab for Cutie | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409053401_590887416518600_3037970847544415194_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z1IqUM4LMYkAX_eM31S&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCB29jkaFFjPEWgLAF3AwKY4dSCkdbXKMVoMB995rc6Ng&oe=6588672C | 0 | 3 | Utah, catch us performing live at Kilby Block Party May 10-12, 2024! <br /> <br /> Tickets on sale now: <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FKilbyBlockParty.com%2F&h=AT0gyB_saQ47Q7tTVmtRYpos5xnrqYiWYCyojoQVxHHpjK8OA-kl71_ZoJbRIN9_2at6meUiYynO6NW8hJNFl2pq3zACnu5nHp1Hvr55mIxXAM8U_tsYTq6Cbg0Blv3EOyV1cJLVBQoqbp4ZbIriPExCjrq3xTy2G4YWt9wNxRM" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">KilbyBlockParty.com</a> | Death Cab for Cutie | 2095872 | https://facebook.com/deathcabforcutie | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56024 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/10/25, 9:37 PM | 1703105776 | 1744339059 | 65 | 1047257999690982 | 1 | 2.4274073202345E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101782866045184 | 0 | History Buff | 120207596588850456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702294882 | 1.0178286604518E+14 | History Buff | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409192701_1980399749061711_8056048689992197745_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fIcN_OL38q4AX8KkgNy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfATjEja-Y_8_30NhVgLq1lhLSw3z22budp4kjFCSgiIWw&oe=6587E1BC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | History Buff | 6848 | https://facebook.com/100086221008740 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55450 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/23/25, 9:30 AM | 1703105770 | 1745418629 | 65 | 900762624472892 | 2 | 1.9852674018597E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 128872460299034 | 0 | Windstore12-2 | 120202885990730027 | thaoutee.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Best gifts for your family | JOANNA-A16 | http://thaoutee.com/joanna-a16 | 1702866544 | 1.2887246029903E+14 | Windstore12-2 | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411074438_3490265217889486_8238044800860683138_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gCp26jbH718AX9z6C2L&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDMTBCYZhDb0uQnj2_QL1T0L74ty2K75uoccnRMeQV3Bw&oe=6588B621 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthaoutee.com%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT2DTX5WCmn70ukrmnMroB81I6WXd4h3KAtWP1zhiohnHs7nvg-ruqfW72rsUe8858y2AOvy-InUJLpIsMSPDb6HdOAkGZGTPORJH8k8YUlvLLO4t9I2bhpg8r2Y8g6b0Clwt0hbmgp6MjZJl92Bb7mldqi1BPlMzI0BXMKZ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">http://thaoutee.com/collection/joanna</a> | Windstore12-2 | 2 | https://facebook.com/61550627315369 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56971 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/27/24, 1:50 AM | 1703105786 | 1735285844 | 65 | 1566213070854203 | 6.7252928135758E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201779124310250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678212 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625066_3576316099290479_3496808059134504848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PNE-Nwr-wvYAX_s2mx_&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfASOr8LrvX1HBwc85NZls7LC0wnIb7uAsnjDqrVza5-Lg&oe=6587E3EF | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56306 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/9/25, 12:18 PM | 1703105779 | 1739125082 | 65 | 236878435947620 | 1 | 3.1146792184398E+14 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458533270691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856042 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407933397_668006772025497_7394531184827387520_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hQ8MiyR4B3oAX99Sctt&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBR40mZhKLP9cWCacGSsSrK0ooO_Obbq6i9tn_B1wSy-w&oe=65882BDA | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407116579_1033747967835054_103182347920413370_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O6AXQ_MDYBEAX-0mlO_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDoWcJXEIiwmSA7Dknwa0wBKpqWDjMQ7sCMnH_GGlpU3Q&oe=65875605 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55255 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686725 | 65 | 690553372928813 | 1 | 1.52653016145E+15 | 1694674800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1387948014788528 | 0 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 23859211750350562 | https://joannagrabska.pl | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannagrabska.pl/ | 1694333048 | 1.3879480147885E+15 | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/375872847_617848750501081_1677364542333022358_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eSqX6e88OXUAX8C6L36&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDTACb_hiWrqZmm3JLKmnJZpZYGZSkY0UEJzvSyvbPUzA&oe=6587D231 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Grabska - Inspirator Zmian | 7331 | https://facebook.com/JoannaGrabskaInspiratorZmian | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1694329200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55263 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686749 | 65 | 1760931137668028 | 1 | 1.0536337559591E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120202448171820087 | joannaczech.com | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannaczech.com/collections/the-kit-individual | 1701463080 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406442256_310780735112192_2135261148924230841_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3p-gZIUSm3YAX8L58FV&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfALVqNEz47qFM7jH8bZqnfQbnZYywjSm-XWRc9V80e9yQ&oe=6587F940 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406455059_867405048367511_6144182048269315348_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qb-H67cLezIAX99HG2Z&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAfmOzvZuM4AwRzW0a5N-ScQh2hkSpoe6gHVKXzxgjdlA&oe=6587BB36 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55265 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:45 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686754 | 65 | 733376934915145 | 7.1736665033051E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203653079340183 | NONE | text | 1702922854 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410772873_274861108546855_3537938207870142266_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fk-gm7m5dpoAX-0bFH1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDmd1mbqvVDg536NjEsCspWzfSNV3vzHn2qKMzfnKCLPA&oe=6587A52A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | One of the greatest joys of the holiday season is giving. Here are some great ways to give back to Fort Bend County!<br /> <br /> 1) Toys for Tots Presorting: help sort toys and set up for the 2023 Toys for Tots toys distribution. <br /> 2) Volunteer as a bell-ringer or angel tree attendant.<br /> 3) Provide pantry items or volunteer with Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry's Holiday food program.<br /> 4) Volunteer to help homeless families across Fort Bend. <br /> 5) Area pet shelters are always looking for volunteers especially during "Home for the Holidays" campaigns. Remember to adopt, don't shop! Consider volunteering with Fort Bend Animal Services.<br /> <br /> Check the comments for the links to sign up for each volunteering event. Hope to catch you at one!<br /> <br /> Locals, are there any I’m missing?<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56232 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/29/25, 6:52 PM | 1703105778 | 1748562769 | 65 | 691433142756924 | 2 | 7.37223603612E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 865633690313272 | 0 | Unbothered | 120201740567500660 | www.refinery29.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2023/12/11565917/baby-tate-pansexuality-blonde-new-music | 1701973676 | 8.6563369031327E+14 | Unbothered | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407979836_676410587814184_5133640539886831634_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UBjmanQ3rV4AX9XqKXg&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBplVCBPn-H_shboSskxLVN6e_Fx8jt3_LKVL9uZlAkVw&oe=6588FDCE | person_profile | 0 | Unbothered | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407739866_921784539699935_6320168488573186043_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Axbvd83caaAAX8tbAyC&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAV7LKbcxjnGSuud3-CGgK73M7-Ooi_ZiorVNcdxZO3mQ&oe=65874E32 | 0 | 3 | 🗣 The Unbothered Zine is finally here featuring our amazing cover STAR ✨ @imbabytate! ✨ Tap in as the IT GIRL dives deep into duality, self expression and sexuality 😉. We know you don’t want to miss this amazing pop culture moment so head to our IG stories for the full story. 💖<br /> <br /> ___<br /> Photography: Ally Green @theallygreen<br /> Styling: Yety Akinola for Atelier Management @yetyakinola<br /> Hair: Shelby Swain for OPUS Beauty @theshelbyswain<br /> Makeup: Shadara Holmes for OPUS Beauty @shadaraholmes.mua<br /> Nails: Megan “Pink’s Artistry” Smith @pinksartistry<br /> Set Design: Samantha Margherita @smargherita<br /> DP: Joanna Thanh há Nguyen @jtngu<br /> Video Editing: David Rho @davidrhorho<br /> Digital Tech: Ed Cañas <br /> Photo Assistants: Avery Mulally, Obidi Nzeribe<br /> Wardrobe Assistant: Kaij<br /> Hair Assistants: Teyah, Nuni Aenon Bowie<br /> Set Assistant: Cody Rogers<br /> Production Assistant: Carrie Rivera<br /> <br /> DP: Joanna Thanh há Nguyen @jtngu Video Editing: David Rho @davidrhorho <br /> <br /> Cover Feature Writer: Ineye Komonibo @ineyekomo<br /> Cover Feature Editor: Kathleen Newman-Bremang @kathleennb<br /> Talent Management: Sandy Pierre @sandzp<br /> Director, Unbothered: Kimber Bowman @kimbernotkimberly<br /> Vice President, Unbothered: Chelsea Sanders @definitelynotchelsea <br /> <br /> Unbothered Social Team:<br /> Alexis Jackson @lexisjacks<br /> Maiya Carmichael @_mcqn<br /> Christa Eduafo @chreeeeeesta<br /> <br /> Unbothered Video Team:<br /> Jessika Hardy @jessikalyssa<br /> Rissa Papillion @bordeauxpapi<br /> <br /> Vice President, Brand Studio: Sarah Filippi @sarah_f___<br /> Design Director, Brand Studio: Andreina Carrillo @ndre<br /> Art Director, Brand Studio: Ben Tuber @bentuber<br /> Senior Designer, Brand Studio: Kali Concepcion @conrkali<br /> Senior Producer, Brand Studio: Agustina Gaviola @agustinagaviola | Unbothered | 5214 | https://facebook.com/r29unbothered | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55275 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 3:18 AM | 1703105768 | 1746692293 | 65 | 1179980229645273 | 1 | 2.004852849898E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 189400044404643 | 0 | The Sleep Store of Fort Collins | 6521282416304 | Call Now | NONE | multi_images | 1703027409 | 1.8940004440464E+14 | The Sleep Store of Fort Collins | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410899953_330111723121197_1993923731621812753_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OXQirMoQYIUAX91K9Xq&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAklIZ_PZDbB6QEnhrlsps-sXjPLX7x0N97ZjZADfeyZg&oe=6588C31B | person_profile | 0 | Sleep Store of Fort Collins | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410633929_1089199422107718_7076821728887626391_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rOV6xp2XbnsAX8mpRE8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDy8gaFx2iqkaG5k5BpUe52b86x4rjcSemO8XULf0vhkQ&oe=6587CD63 | 0 | 3 | It’s our pleasure to continue delivering 5 star experiences to our awesome customers! <br /> <br /> #reviews #mattress #sleepstoreoffortcollins #fortcollins #lovelandcolorado #noco #foco #sleep #dream | The Sleep Store of Fort Collins | 424 | https://facebook.com/TheSleepStoreofFortCollins | 0 | CALL_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55838 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/20/24, 10:04 PM | 1703105773 | 1732161899 | 65 | 313970524882133 | 1 | 7.1180003424345E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120201411471290044 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Read the full version 👉Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée | À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/dxokajkex4yifdkndq5j5qva?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702458262 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409586363_1535846680685482_6157641047348634177_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hUx2gzjbzxAAX_RXwvy&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCuqx5ZA-magGh1ilxfxTZtxpzuq2Tmx3m7ftUJudmrFg&oe=65885597 | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409755877_275562015115341_7390653589507349688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MBrmYpOEBicAX93oZG_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBoQ0B7lXHjpyhLlZnz_BeZDn0ONptzWe5XDbjHWl1YOg&oe=65886F37 | 0 | 3 | 🔞🔞🔞Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène.<br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> ***<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55609 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/24/24, 1:18 PM | 1703105771 | 1732475894 | 65 | 236700256112228 | 1 | 6.8171632043498E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120204045517290514 | play.google.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kwshortvideo.kalostv | 1702611121 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409751316_1037862567491180_6884779224424826367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ku7Mss9jccIAX_P0vq2&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfASo_ELhOkq560g7jAab1egaM6FzW_6nu7DWG9-BLm2YA&oe=6588517E | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411126585_690044216244338_3944790581799324999_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IqDTDaHxwOUAX8ufOHY&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDEqXL3MPYgZLzkytzhr8FKQ3sYRFbpqk_O_WCAeXOFTg&oe=65884930 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56754 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/15/25, 5:11 PM | 1703105784 | 1747347100 | 65 | 329778486349333 | 1 | 2.632756767403E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200360107560122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700883268 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405888085_238251205940821_1064715419336869594_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rttsve923CsAX8fb-ut&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNFBj9QwDvIOBSWBG-_Ju4y5uBLQGGLcG0hbprqp42lQ&oe=6588AC65 | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405772130_361146279802207_3679779019245397624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3DX1M29jq68AX99uVKb&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDHTc0ua05dQSosBLju-F9JxNLTh67HXhWKKPxaJv5G7g&oe=6587E548 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56756 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/9/25, 1:37 AM | 1703105784 | 1744180678 | 65 | 796596288934980 | 1 | 7.9856662894856E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200360105610122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700883495 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404685420_332226536111524_8948879539622136343_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QA3igxOGIpUAX-4j4CA&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDObb3c0xDG7ywbVqdqOmymg9s1rqqVqj1SFJ5hA4BDLw&oe=65889D9A | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404744092_1085922982826276_7562440700763202018_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sAHk0f46B8UAX-20j9Z&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBrBhIHk0jvbyVee5BdqHLwMlyd9HmhLrjPiLC87I6myw&oe=658794EA | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56498 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/11/25, 10:51 PM | 1703105781 | 1739335906 | 65 | 3620656951556726 | 1 | 3.6328516272764E+14 | 1701504000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 118760431268839 | 0 | lookporcelaingirl | 120202162166540681 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/lookporcelaingirl | 1701282226 | 1.1876043126884E+14 | lookporcelaingirl | https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/358377870_1425775771603663_8927361842888995981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=rchcw-7S-MgAX-fxFEh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBQkdLEZYxu6UaYWDwyDtyjsRF6ggSbSRsOlKKwfq7yEg&oe=65879D0A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | em. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404766185_1021751882226845_973144084653914441_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iNGEVzdNRFsAX-cGD3C&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5vlkdCOdkI7-II_Z1OqyBjQNDM89uBJyiCNv9Pg3MfQ&oe=6588FCF5 | 0 | 3 | rzeźbione f a s c y n a c j e.<br /> <br /> @jolawachelfotografie <br /> @joanna8grzywacz <br /> @monikaturekfashion <br /> @marta_ruta_hats <br /> <br /> #photosession #artsession #sesjafashion #fashion #model #modelka #photography #sesjaproduktowa #sesjamodowa #fashionphotography #fashionstyle #retro #retrostyle #retrophotography #fashionmodel #polskamarka #martarutahats #oplotka #streetphotography #warsaw #warsawmodel #fotografiaartystyczna #art | lookporcelaingirl | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/lookporcelaingirl | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55914 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/5/25, 2:08 AM | 1703105774 | 1743836891 | 65 | 881238497134098 | 2 | 3.2725577330365E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 628160127204842 | 0 | Current Joys | 6500398976089 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10 - 12 | Utah State Fairpark | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702074498 | 6.2816012720484E+14 | Current Joys | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409036641_1029727791429712_7558247182247651720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6vbA4bMrL24AX8x8qar&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfALyic9pUGA2za2NVA51JBX8eDD8MVDArYKEXAg7_v5ZA&oe=6588A083 | person_profile | 0 | Nick Rattigan | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409046886_1114430493050192_1818501595608438865_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZgryM0maH_sAX8qWBO9&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAFnOdeJZptV_5j1l9UmOR1IXVFBOzMt0ZEuSK5zTM1ww&oe=658879BF | 0 | 3 | Current Joys | 34308 | https://facebook.com/currentjoys | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55981 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 1:22 PM | 1703105775 | 1747851750 | 65 | 24328286120149993 | 1 | 3.6997679211145E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203143459790670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702374740 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406870621_1510012276207500_6842478731252952226_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T0X5QbQDlhwAX_NGa3M&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfC3LVpa5eyEoYIoglrudfUnt5BG697cEtCU7TTiP6tGjQ&oe=6587AA1E | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410496620_1084476899569332_4405118702925330089_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O-Jy4ldatJsAX8a8PR4&_nc_oc=AQnx44KbUxMXfqx_gIe7PGEi2MygOM9r_c9IDVOEb8JCLNwcC3TodZ-sXLREV1TNjlY&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfA5Wx3KoBNySFBto2XwTzsJW_2AUw9W9acmGNt5MFDICg&oe=65891A52 | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55607 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 11/22/24, 4:43 AM | 1703105771 | 1732250585 | 65 | 881468456815909 | 1 | 7.6536717895985E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120205077844830729 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702629734 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409733026_6996199570416725_9475510341436150_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ebu2DzhOdCgAX8m4qP1&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCcx-Kr9K7Ph6GPUS_A4Aa36GN835g99Xj_C4TEskxheg&oe=658821DC | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409792973_1849959492104569_4118496396967311093_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iKPEaxLFxVAAX-aEN9e&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAlHf0PMI7pdYJUWi0fUqZ0g9-XiK8nVL8hoJfqmdYNCw&oe=65878FB3 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56037 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/25/25, 10:04 PM | 1703105776 | 1745636679 | 65 | 7324956244217608 | 1 | 8.831801967482E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120201986702620647 | leonis.gr | Book now | NONE | image | http://www.leonis.gr/ | 1702292176 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408476791_1009640686760613_7363818524127732107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5OMOUjLCIrgAX_vPz1u&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBJcvLNM-nGKPc33ybPG6i_wGHdOwpu77VvGR2VCLxRKw&oe=65881E27 | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406825562_3598161450473036_6281783793428032350_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=woK2ZZpYwrIAX_Upk8o&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxvt3DpOJEfWDpE3qV9mJhcNjK1a_2Ug2D9pizOd5Qlw&oe=6587C0B6 | 0 | 3 | There are several words that keep showing up on our guests’s comments, such as “view”, “relaxed” and “friendliness” for example. One word you won’t miss though, even if you read just a couple of reviews, is “breakfast”.<br /> <br /> Probably the greatest evidence of how seriously we take our guests’ experience at Leonis Summer Houses is the love and care that we have put in creating the hotel’s signature breakfast. <br /> <br /> Every morning, a local bakery brings us different kinds of bread, all made with traditional recipes. At 7:00 am, we start baking butter croissants (that’s right, butter, not margarine croissants, we just can’t stop spoiling you), along with savoury treats like the adored spinach pie and sweets like the creamy “bougatsa” pie. This way, you get to enjoy the rich flavour of freshly baked goods with every single breakfast.<br /> <br /> Breakfast preparation includes all the vitamins you need to start your day, with the cutting of fresh fruits for your colourful fruit salad and squeezing oranges for your juice. As if the Greek yogurt we serve wasn’t delicious enough on its own, we provide you with honey that we buy from an actual farmer - not from a supermarket - and traditional sweets that pair incredibly with your yogurt.<br /> <br /> The marmalades we use consist 100% of fruit, there’s no sugar added. Every day should be a cheat day when it comes to our chocolate spread though. Use that thing on a croissant and moan like Meg Ryan on “When Harry Met Sally”. <br /> <br /> To top it all off, you get your morning boiled eggs and a variety of cold cuts and cheese. Once you’re finished, you should expect to get hungry again at dinnertime. What raises the breakfast experience to a whole other level is the fact that you get to enjoy it on your terrace, with a breathtaking sea view.<br /> <br /> Treat yourself to the LSH experience by making your reservation online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT0QMe51JSYYU_KeyZBxygxUKLX_bIb16Q9vruKy4syGVJFhw3jPrZncpeH9eGOPIi3MFJbEnBOCV3JksmnAx6du-zJOlrDgKhdOGLmIJx7X6C8PcmQ7NWGNnX5wMjbh-TUnAowNcDDk6pt_w1Gh9uim-SYfmi8i46VyHw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or by sending your request at welcome@leonis.gr<br /> <br /> Season Premiere on 20 April 2024<br /> <br /> #mykonos #greece #travel #hotel #photooftheday | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55420 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/16/25, 8:05 PM | 1703105769 | 1747443901 | 65 | 932809715079186 | 3.7770544798512E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 541829670064587 | 0 | The Goat Manchester | 120204729476790066 | thegoat.fanlink.to | Buy tickets | NONE | video | Granite Lion Presents: SunDub + Mighty Mystic + Green Lion Crew | Sun, Jan 7 | The Goat | Manchester, NH | https://thegoat.fanlink.to/010724 | 1702913800 | 5.4182967006459E+14 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411851475_1095692144921400_2513855467810894941_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YVqeItqt2ZcAX_BH2E1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBhp0sGMD7u6QUauDcBjcDzMwxg0NpI4ehFp14oVmmBlg&oe=65880279 | person_profile | 0 | The Goat Manchester | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412337792_683797797196334_4247667404787222207_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DI4h6ewmLuMAX-hLvuU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACd8gbdMIfgusVZAvJW-o7wIVJ881QrA6a2PRRbnFhWA&oe=6588660E | 0 | 3 | 🎉 Get Ready to groove! Sundub & Mighty Mystic are hitting The Goat in Manchester, NH 🐐✨ Jan 7, Sunday. Special beats by Green Lion Crew! 🔥 Don't miss this epic night! | The Goat Manchester | 10480 | https://facebook.com/goatbarmanchester | 0 | BUY_TICKETS | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56946 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/9/25, 11:16 PM | 1703105786 | 1744258570 | 65 | 890689559365213 | 2.7834020851566E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201779365580250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678775 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404286689_2650950335067980_8718050196012372022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T57PZ_o1Z7UAX-5pTqF&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCX1zcke-w0o1UJFzyM9TIpzOajqZQ6dSTevw2jseXPQQ&oe=658845FB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56951 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/29/25, 8:20 PM | 1703105786 | 1745976050 | 65 | 885910889645627 | 5 | 3.5632109572798E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100591998719781 | 0 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 120200721409990167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679679 | 1.0059199871978E+14 | Graduatez - Hit the Books | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404478545_996064758122985_9149296117747152661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlilrlXHaPoAX8y8J7r&_nc_oc=AQnwD6ZF-EkNHS1c9c3pJ0QQnRvqItZmBcOqSZ8NY_IdGSyhTqVgk5bKDr8UK-tDdqU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOeqzpBQWjBdTXHwvF1bm0tahTx4pm46B3A6nDvJ-c-w&oe=658811A3 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Graduatez - Hit the Books | 776 | https://facebook.com/100067310437950 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56176 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/2/24, 11:14 AM | 1703105777 | 1733159679 | 65 | 895922125467378 | 2 | 1.2974651443052E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672563920427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030405 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409160093_1826802174420796_1796006043817436985_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iv6dN_mOE1sAX9TdFfd&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBklA3DEnqYoymORnEDTIassuSAuy4rsQOo4LuRIahLIw&oe=65887245 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409178417_836443838229838_6833533936563503704_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F7Hngxn1UgIAX-H8TWv&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC_4YS1qzRtg-b3bj3VnqjIwome4LdeygfqaPd7ptekVQ&oe=6588593E | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56497 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/29/25, 11:28 PM | 1703105781 | 1748579310 | 65 | 749917753732646 | 4 | 6.5157521705526E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6435441794 | 0 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 6476729275525 | stjude.org | Donate now | NONE | video | Join Chip and Joanna | https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N575301.1960500FACEBOOKAD/B26771615.370237279;dc_trk_aid=561206512;dc_trk_cid=205408967;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;ltd=;dc_tdv=1 | 1701283981 | 6435441794 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406245210_1407381813461430_3453301633332921659_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t6SlgSvpiCYAX_nbEBN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOHvKZmJ6InxBNq8QHGSKwDuPb866d-8bSDvIps9qgZw&oe=6588614A | person_profile | 0 | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399588804_1087543152416865_4711166481303681378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HUn55rSZ2lMAX-PYthL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA_VplGlfe_SFHDtKX5RVrVvSss86lmNcpz_KP0TswmAg&oe=65880A7C | 0 | 3 | The best gifts keep giving. Donate to help the kids of St. Jude today. | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 2821917 | https://facebook.com/stjude | 0 | DONATE_NOW | 1701763200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55282 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/3/24, 3:36 AM | 1703105768 | 1733218582 | 65 | 7103650619679521 | 1 | 2.6792356532018E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1575519442724412 | 0 | Joanna Czech | 120201694007030087 | www.joannaczech.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Biologique Recherche Skincare | The 'facial in a bottle' | https://www.joannaczech.com/products/lotion-p50 | 1699635961 | 1.5755194427244E+15 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400361400_855562966030364_219397152437980229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ACqCmqTKXsoAX_wM4oj&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDzOHmgRsTzUi9x2_mwQaxP606Mz9CMFg3Fnar63j_HYQ&oe=65885DAA | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Czech | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400340476_3614281172194272_1074907424329682813_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BnuDXsb12gYAX8apGQx&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPv3nwfK57x1duw3481S4cd5uYJEgB9S8tsIBtABsySw&oe=658810B3 | 0 | 3 | Hailed as a ‘facial in a bottle’ Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 is a progressive, purifying, cleansing, balancing and re-conditioning liquid exfoliant. <br /> Shop the Lotion P50 Exfoliating Toner for radiant skin. | Joanna Czech | 5584 | https://facebook.com/joannaczechofficial | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56929 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/12/25, 8:30 AM | 1703105785 | 1739370637 | 65 | 730002508981580 | 5 | 2.8800859695267E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1702152333364539 | 0 | Two Red Dots | 120201778908950250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677875 | 1.7021523333645E+15 | Two Red Dots | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403732874_200696603079248_6327002370576212959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c0pVumBRrA4AX_9m6xG&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDQ6TwLZWPNLTdMxNtCfdxPFnB4aRa-e-ib4YNuqBXdCA&oe=6588D874 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Two Red Dots | 28460 | https://facebook.com/tworeddots | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55999 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 9:41 PM | 1703105775 | 1745376063 | 65 | 325981603556835 | 2 | 5.3379437696631E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 117907238242240 | 0 | Songleader Boot Camp | 120202760070420633 | NONE | video | Book Your Flights for SLBC ‘24! Learn with amazing artist and educators! | 1702349843 | 1.1790723824224E+14 | Songleader Boot Camp | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409191395_1807900253014575_8704622281696875900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yc_r9Yp7-HkAX9G6PO7&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfBROIJfw0q1cfHMBv89ClCJilE2eWvzjniun4RxoE570A&oe=6587F87D | person_profile | 0 | Songleader Boot Camp | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410377320_3584036245169564_5920782764015789666_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RIbcAKiycPIAX_np-RM&_nc_oc=AQkLzv6dzNQjn6GxORyx5s_lzhzjldkjadteiwb_iTPXAaPBZYIxF11_lIxlbQweP2c&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfAayz8uBP--FyN8QR-U6CD6dBGB-24heVYsAyf-MSaamg&oe=6587C86B | 0 | 3 | Joining us in St. Louis for SLBC ’24?? BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS and say “EYE AM ready to learn!” with these incredible educators, thought-leaders, and artists at the 2024 SLBC National Conference (Feb 18-20 in St. Louis)!! Register today at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsongleaderbootcamp.com%2Fregister&h=AT2_5W7_B9llxh0UuxhZ0Yx7YfYTfx7ebcSZJC5E-WpKClwIk0e9mX2OrP-an3pPOOksQX2VaBMb7_heFwmtUz0PysnAf4AJEhOLzlKGuIWPc62nphw4cPRivRdCYxeSkcJ3_75n96x1cIwMjoVfYA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">songleaderbootcamp.com/register</a><br /> <br /> Featuring Cantor Laurie Akers, Rob Aronson, Shira Berkowitz, Rabbi Cecelia Beyer, Rabbi Joe Black, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Joe Buchanan, Matthew Check, Rabbi Noah Diamondstein, Hazzan Joanna Dulkin, Zoey Fleisher, Carla Friend, Rabbi Brad Horwitz, Rabbi David Ingber, Billy Jonas, Shira Kline, Charlie Kramer, Jacob Spike Kraus, Rabbi Sandra Lawson, Eliana Light, Rabbi Jackson Mercer, Rabbi Myra Meskin, Chava Mirel, Craig Parks, Mikey Pauker, Elisa Heiligman Recht, Rick Recht, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky… and MORE!<br /> <br /> >> REGISTER TODAY at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsongleaderbootcamp.com%2Fregister&h=AT0soup1e6OlC4bIGmsR_yyA0hXi9ln0D7QHOK8YXVaQJ_NL0y0yjnhmHPafGs0xu6Yu3bHyQ9_06NwJTMyr_sk6CXTxdlWH57LahwROIIoYGce9aRcwN1HEt06hEpCcJjecO7Ie1fqk3Q0L_lFudw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">songleaderbootcamp.com/register</a> | Songleader Boot Camp | 3251 | https://facebook.com/songleaderbootcamp | 0 | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55492 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/21/25, 8:38 PM | 1703105770 | 1745285893 | 65 | 641967534569663 | 1 | 3.7665035069715E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120205508631970427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702806459 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410485674_839377187874804_1016762584591804994_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5kWpbDHCQbYAX_Pxtmc&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQc_zOgJ_1RCrrSCIOBijIA6xFjiW00aG14O3URx8UAg&oe=65880BBA | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411126583_1022319225706472_8108307022015545376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fgmc2Af5HYkAX9HOaNI&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBFvUoRinzGfg1X_FddlaLBNKin0EjUx74HKqBNxzxugw&oe=6588E2E1 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702800000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56108 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/21/25, 8:38 PM | 1703105776 | 1745285896 | 65 | 1829174147535419 | 5 | 4.0040837231424E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202259661140476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702180792 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408546849_679258414294197_5051666096349522839_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nqgA8H-jddcAX9TbmW3&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJosgHb-UlfcAe6HxkmtsUL0KokcPrXkDczVfm0hwuXg&oe=6587757A | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406775393_254093004090188_8735889365689050652_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HyjwY_xMGD8AX86qdTT&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnqcu5uto1bykJE9S1oG4_lB-hkddzYJPWylIsgHPTRQ&oe=6588B2D8 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55415 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 8:05 AM | 1703105769 | 1746882307 | 65 | 742462167738393 | 2 | 3.7825404461973E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1430412523941777 | 0 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | 120204146125230432 | No button | NONE | multi_images | 1702918086 | 1.4304125239418E+15 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412399788_1491271461724724_5435861138444621622_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kpD03aMuX5YAX-X4_4L&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6pkUadC7tGMxdlPNl9xApjQY2YnngA4h0kbon7TelXA&oe=658834A1 | person_profile | 0 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411433139_332779236192299_4750649032200605377_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2hvDBHpJ_3gAX97tGFs&_nc_oc=AQkHHxXQmXoGc5C1JJETvbht5lw0B6SLg1sngXodNP9k1LiaoWnmIa7cjeztKeoluyE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBbfEZ77sXt987fQ7qkQptKMJ6TQqfhX0ksVuKj3j_IYQ&oe=6587F569 | 0 | 3 | Season’s Greetings and Happy Birthdays at Silver's! ✨🎄<br /> <br /> December at Silver's isn't just about the holiday sparkle, it's also about celebrating the birthdays of our fantastic team members! Your hard work and cheer add so much to the spirit of the season. Wishing you all the joy, laughter, and wonderful moments on your special days! 🎂🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!<br /> <br /> Celebrating:<br /> 🎂 Deborah Jagneaux, Store Cashier<br /> 🎂 Joanna Morris, Housekeeping<br /> 🎂 Jerry Herpin, Maintenance<br /> 🎂 D'chelle Breaux, Store Manager<br /> 🎂 Denise Johnson, Store Cashier<br /> <br /> Your dedication makes Silver's brighter, especially during the holidays. Cheers to the happiest of birthdays! 🌟🎉 | Silver's Travel Plaza & Casino | 1817 | https://facebook.com/silverscasino | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56174 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/21/25, 11:19 PM | 1703105777 | 1745295589 | 65 | 1114384166408897 | 2 | 8.7955387693943E+14 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672571280427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030372 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408990271_309769152025044_6573687378561363535_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zmbY69ftA7oAX_psD_x&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6J9vrabYFThgtRi7PPTMJBOhE2QthcQdwoe1HQVQOCg&oe=6587F882 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409032020_3739432289633600_2210896833155773699_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=44MhC5JtMawAX9iP-5V&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfATmSmerucXCf6kRpwqbfE_6EYRIwTve7hI2qGBQeBBWw&oe=65884A84 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56886 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:05 AM | 1703105785 | 1745301939 | 65 | 266301842692730 | 1.0318422547396E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721011560167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678821 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404328773_1017772942786960_6287617802985419107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fiLiPGFBw6UAX9hdxvC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXh5q15ZLK4hVQRvqZa6cz7FZcdErnNXnFfLNaOpeFlg&oe=6588C10F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55748 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 9:20 AM | 1703105772 | 1744381245 | 65 | 867285931709902 | 4 | 5.891996700146E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548134609 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494409 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409986041_1789280244867026_555231955438941709_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e64inxgY8DAAX9Zz1sE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdZkW40cwnj_TpiR3uR3nh5rtVkPSEnF79sd48lZt9cg&oe=6588DCF7 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410005734_931318311697344_3745117535278474315_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_w_OX877aBUAX8NCjnC&_nc_oc=AQmyVu8KT_BIqBNQudB4bbwPn6MzSTS78txUq8bHU4Zsv6PIvr3W2DYS-UFbNgRw1OY&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDe4ukY5k2hltyxaFj7IKJih0KA6ksQHssLDjYrIPZjKQ&oe=65893678 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55381 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 3:49 PM | 1703105769 | 1744404574 | 65 | 1099367017865162 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-uowiz&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB3PwS8P5g67KttMFwNP07eOMpPk51aX9lyEkUzsvZgMQ&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56149 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 12:05 AM | 1703105777 | 1745298323 | 65 | 1480818522700070 | 2 | 1.3190759987615E+15 | 1702108800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155256720476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094478 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408159934_671776155135428_1138901958269067566_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SGqS2fcl-LUAX_F4cQ7&_nc_oc=AQmdAnHG20kQ1jI12RDqWj1cG2as5hTdMb3qCIicnOI2v1G3b6NJVh2fBzToiXd5bZY&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDIeuHpphTWoTlQW6bF3KaiVqK9ZT3eaa7DyxxqSTg33A&oe=6588304D | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408079601_1093949331765669_6948273229860178585_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RXZOloJjDyYAX-SEMI5&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVom641c3_eJWL9gKKYwqDaEQC0HdMLtgqUTsuyhJaoQ&oe=65893485 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55939 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:30 AM | 1703105775 | 1745303429 | 65 | 874656607702601 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207707030550456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702390403 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410456516_1760163194429156_3234338792136871526_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tlllIItaAQwAX8tSu5V&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCIQAt7AOxnOwwYsSB5r6cVV_fTZiSu_fNF4UUD_DQ-hA&oe=6587AABB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55956 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:30 AM | 1703105775 | 1745303429 | 65 | 1063210858213136 | 7 | 6.7743684786976E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101517766011216 | 0 | S Is For Serial | 120207706466050456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389931 | 1.0151776601122E+14 | S Is For Serial | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409663976_880377300478751_2489654191047079587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NTry1wtkcDAAX_Av4gN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAX667-Ql5hqQfOLx-yDUNJ3OO1YeCO3yGzoDK2uommgA&oe=658777E9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | S Is For Serial | 279 | https://facebook.com/100084409758466 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56272 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 12:47 AM | 1703105778 | 1745300821 | 65 | 6820363241378956 | 1 | 1.4468964895184E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120201224383450540 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/4hntjhw2sljmbtee050ynted?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701937005 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408779456_194382350332323_4920618434604187623_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5OMpZ0UcV80AX-anWoQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCPI1Em2xqiP8YKhNSJolXPxuomq_OacgAMQu7rwxREcw&oe=6588D6FB | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408159404_1390295611863010_6678387059299801752_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ruBLQ23NS3wAX9kuehp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD_gOBkDpENwfwPIqKl9Sk06gCfDgtGfFfHYMBbEX5l-Q&oe=658823F3 | 0 | 3 | 😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55618 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/30/25, 1:17 AM | 1703105771 | 1745993831 | 65 | 348342727800510 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110110918845596 | 0 | Your Money Magic Journey | 120203553792760316 | yourmoneymagic.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.yourmoneymagic.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567690 | 1.101109188456E+14 | Your Money Magic Journey | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409815132_1318638172189227_5643181086820598410_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OupBN3BTLbEAX_iaQjQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOWnJxW1wcq0B7yEgmNIhOsUjyvJPWbB26Jvd9VeZReg&oe=658785EB | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Your Money Magic Journey | 42 | https://facebook.com/100095569659037 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55593 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/15/25, 3:34 AM | 1703105771 | 1739590445 | 65 | 675208517930838 | 1 | 1.251053242964E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203924361050613 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/3bw5npofyz0yjotryds4lqbb?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702631976 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409204600_891614655500352_1429128540983292746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gj3kQ04I-ngAX_PC-zu&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC29dWQRwhSsFXwZKQSQoZx4lCq4xOvggpoBN1Aw58UHw&oe=658892B6 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!" | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56733 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 2:55 AM | 1703105783 | 1745308552 | 65 | 652461410433965 | 2 | 3.1631636458366E+14 | 1700899200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632195790115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700796879 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403829230_734647171325581_5566138203116879907_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KssnbbFSD1wAX_C2AJE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBpqfDw5VF3O23WrzKa5KANOxXn9gkZwpiyI-Lfh96yKQ&oe=658913BA | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762297_698344785723953_5615622323004082951_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RAqZ7xKa05oAX_9ithT&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDrEfAekdONI2z3Gzcp3K9Z76fPksiwGrTzqhgD3P_SGg&oe=6587B684 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56562 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 1:26 PM | 1703105781 | 1746815174 | 65 | 905536877834150 | 1 | 1.7498376554934E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 152764014582333 | 0 | NovelBar | 120200424408280122 | website.novelbars.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥Read More Chapters👉👉👉👉 | https://website.novelbars.com/share/middle/whua31xndyremjbxijcrpp5v?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701162650 | 1.5276401458233E+14 | NovelBar | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405929565_885100542969167_7527761003810792355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B_ufGlBESBwAX8k1L9j&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCVbRP5w0TexI7T1QUlQLPjojfTPm4_ss7ijUC-_C7Nhg&oe=6588458B | person_profile | 0 | NovelBar | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405967565_1275212993160557_1585176169825379510_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tbYaEF16tDYAX-lnIeF&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCWiTN-4qaWqqpc2lz7d26uMTeyvXBw6Hd3RKhl1DmQYA&oe=6588D987 | 0 | 3 | He took out his mobile phone to call her. But he found he didn't have her number.<br /> Two years into their marriage, Joanna had always been the one who made the phone call. And he disdained saving her number.<br /> Now, they've been separated four years had passed, and her number had already been wiped from the phone records.<br /> But it seemed that he could still contact her through Messenger App.<br /> She left four years ago, though. He didn't delete her in Messenger.<br /> Sometimes, when a message came, he would hope it was from Joanna.However, she never texted him once.<br /> At first, he thought she could not live without him.<br /> He thought she would continue to pester him after the divorce and use all kinds of methods to get him back.<br /> Only now had he discovered that this was not the case.<br /> Joanna was actually a very proud person.<br /> Bruce's face darkened, and he found her Messenger account.<br /> Her profile photo was still the same as before. It was a picture she took when she was in high school.<br /> She was beautiful and energetic at that time. Her eyes were like bright stars.<br /> People would be amazed when they saw them.<br /> It was a pity that he couldn't see her eyes shining like stars anymore.<br /> Bruce hesitated for a few minutes and then typed "Hello".<br /> It was the first time he had reached out to her.<br /> After the message was sent, he gave a dry cough to hide his embarrassment.<br /> As an arrogant and paranoid man, Bruce was unlikely to admit his care about others.<br /> An hour passed.<br /> Bruce still hadn't received her reply. His face darkened. Being ignored by Joanna really hurt his pride.<br /> He thought, "How dare this woman not reply to me!"<br /> "We need to talk."<br /> Bruce sent a second message in anger.<br /> After waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive her reply.<br /> Now, things got worse.<br /> Bruce was completely irrated.His face was dark and grim.<br /> "Andy, inform the Haynes Group. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of stockholders. All the shareholders must be present."<br /> Actually, he didn't care whether Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul came or not. He just wanted to see Joanna.<br /> "Yes, sir."<br /> Since he couldn't see her in private, he planned to meet her in the company.<br /> He thought she dared not miss the shareholders' meeting.<br /> <br /> 🔞🔞Can't Stop Reading This Novel 👉👉👉The Return of His Unrivaled Ex-wife | NovelBar | 124 | https://facebook.com/61552664542443 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56040 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 5:06 AM | 1703105776 | 1745316371 | 65 | 804969367986061 | 1 | 3.6103388994427E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120202498216940278 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287854 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409223087_897953888408900_5457537260706859629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7xxiS68YXRQAX8ed1DH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgF04qPJTH0YJWCRMWLT-40RXVdBRrn-aDBKBzGMQBww&oe=6588978C | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409591150_328852453371454_5063719742770801524_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GG8WFimfxPQAX-5MDgP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA8RdkkBCDSEDkjvJ7DB5nabo9Zs6aEIjbVr7dDV67-Vg&oe=6588B61D | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56308 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 5:51 AM | 1703105779 | 1745319077 | 65 | 712498224155130 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201881976960476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856214 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407786599_1344522139765784_4382517255734895449_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G3etaHrwp1UAX_dCeoK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCS0Hhk-MUXwRYBLMykGe1ipgdbrXkQJhfBsv2imRtnOw&oe=65880B51 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407849284_327844403337956_1853909753271755926_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m4Po1WexkPgAX-33yYG&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDCafDi1bSsIMdLNqlgElZkBAiJZpvAuB_3M9atZs9jEA&oe=6587877C | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56355 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/13/25, 11:03 PM | 1703105779 | 1747195437 | 65 | 1561096374626540 | 1 | 1.0699624174926E+15 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 871611042878073 | 0 | Author Maggie Dallen | 6504534253556 | maggiedallenbooks.com | Shop now | NONE | video | 5 Books for 30% Off! | "Loved this book! The characters come to life!" - Joanna | https://maggiedallenbooks.com/products/the-bluestocking-battalion-series-bundle | 1701720763 | 8.7161104287807E+14 | Author Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983267_1551006848970078_8922329580634281269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IxczicIOGfAAX_Uf_Xf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD7rg7oAzt16tVgwla4nHCSlwPjbirl6V90bJ4CQqBGuQ&oe=65879597 | person_profile | 0 | Maggie Dallen | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407886858_1679249655901068_7918402580454419048_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BJJTv18XcZsAX9pDPX2&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwBmW_gqKoXCs8AHMNoFUS3VCZLaidQ0zY6es7gDbnog&oe=6588E520 | 0 | 3 | Yesterday, I was a bookish wallflower leading a predictable life. But then I stumble upon a pirate in a cave, and he mistakes me for a spy.<br /> <br /> He takes me captive. But eventually he figures out the truth. <br /> I'm just a dutiful daughter whose life has been planned out, right down to who I'll marry. So he says he'll let me go.<br /> <br /> But this morning, when I seek out my father to confess what happened, he's not alone in his study. The pirate is there. <br /> <br /> But now he's dressed like a gentleman, and he greets me with a wicked smile. “Ah, just the young lady I was hoping to meet.”<br /> <br /> BOOK: Miss Minerva's Pirate Mishap<br /> <br /> What readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /> "I loved every book in this series! It was so fun to read about each sister finding adventure and love. If you love sweet regency romances...I highly recommend these books!" <br /> <br /> Get the 5 E-Books in this bundle series and save 30% today! The PERFECT way to support the author directly.<br /> <br /> After your purchase. Receive an email with the link to the ebook. <br /> <br /> Download the books with one click and send them to your kindle, tablet, or phone. And READ!<br /> <br /> Thank you for supporting me directly! 🥰 | Author Maggie Dallen | 2617 | https://facebook.com/MaggieDallenAuthor | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701676800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55321 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/5/24, 11:33 AM | 1703105768 | 1733420001 | 65 | 328766793306971 | 1 | 1.7348737103295E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475750720743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976788 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411250001_294441656382110_2076821529979898218_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eXsJdPsHHuwAX_Cth5H&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxaDMAb9DQZ8mNiWEyA4oPJEOCkhIJovXn528TzU5Sxw&oe=65890EB9 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411271457_706651411436218_8987804722599557807_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oA2e6QjUczoAX-fmxWg&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfANiWycGvirNmzAr-DwBN9vRiB7yVNDtVc4Y0H20kRRrQ&oe=6588A6D7 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55870 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/19/25, 5:48 AM | 1703105774 | 1745059698 | 65 | 1133090267714696 | 1 | 9.0797448761931E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 124627240725435 | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | 120203220170270670 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞🔥 Continuer la lecture ➤➤📜<Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/ngocvh1lzgolxeaimswy1psu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702449591 | 1.2462724072544E+14 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409980682_757955766157819_2139120921551884284_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tXQTeNHrAtAAX96q157&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBL2jWPAf6yK2sA3-rN4rlDz_8UD8yw_MdENg06WpL5YQ&oe=65881FBF | person_profile | 0 | Lereader-Favorite novel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409931205_324661733663264_6228138727750176648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vxjvgOeuuZgAX-lEual&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuvbIYHMcthL0yAdD8FXLejLThTqxVkHnYMSDoVH5Zeg&oe=6588EC4E | 0 | 3 | 💔🔞 Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | Lereader-Favorite novel | 272 | https://facebook.com/61550573436554 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56237 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 7:49 AM | 1703105778 | 1745326170 | 65 | 1616118595827558 | 8.9177252588062E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6585777583809 | joannavargas.com | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/collections/new-york-spa | 1701966857 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407925736_620582436781442_2796719506810871333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fl98EN6uGF8AX-5RbjH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCPR8BHlWwqtcj_kB3dm1CDc-mnQ_w2lpOncAUPawBVSA&oe=6588A42A | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408816041_331873276276130_8909268571148640696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ShEZkuz79mcAX8F_IuA&_nc_oc=AQllryz-NrfhmOkmBd5606EUzPhzLMyBkF83fXmKGoAf6S9WpKY-ltQ_CZleIrPLGApnXzQYG4fC-31ooiswcrYr&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCClhrbxBQ-mkXABGUquyYRMB0vmvsHf5M7aXBnApwmoQ&oe=65874CE1 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55527 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 10:45 AM | 1703105770 | 1746891930 | 65 | 322391427374457 | 1 | 3.9613396617618E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104141508873064 | 0 | Johanna Rojas Vann | 120203365613270250 | www.johannavann.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Get 2 Chapters for FREE | Available Now! | https://www.johannavann.com/2-free-chapters-subscribe?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}} | 1702681094 | 1.0414150887306E+14 | Johanna Rojas Vann | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409820883_1375915716620335_7201533355721206197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rptFIgx5cqAAX9i-kjM&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCd5mpAlU-8hkzPGI44g9caQruIvzNuyMkUzU926fkbIw&oe=6588316C | person_profile | 0 | Johanna Rojas Vann | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411102347_692931033024341_194991369403769014_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hpPchU-lGhcAX8R1PiC&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCV4bHPsmEhn3wysXzXlkjWwPKMZG4ZbaH4FEkks95xFw&oe=6587E593 | 0 | 3 | Step into the shoes of Melanie Carvajal in "An American Immigrant" and embark on a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration. <br /> <br /> This beautifully crafted novel by Johanna Rojas Vann is more than just fiction; it's a gateway to understanding your own roots. <br /> <br /> As Melanie unravels the intricacies of her Colombian-American identity, you'll be inspired to delve into your own family history. <br /> <br /> Experience the power of heritage through this moving story of resilience, family, and the enduring strength of cultural bonds. | Johanna Rojas Vann | 79 | https://facebook.com/JohannaRVann | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56222 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 7:54 AM | 1703105778 | 1745326448 | 65 | 644142460998109 | 3 | 3.6807866254761E+15 | 1702022400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 845538165617139 | 0 | HeraldWeekly.com | 120202419244160520 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | 37 Photos Of The Place Joanna Gaines Lives In With Her Partner | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1702018929 | 8.4553816561714E+14 | HeraldWeekly.com | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407983292_1067995357880526_6979270046607014080_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9zY9HK23LJoAX9qpSyK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAPoXodu-5k5lcO6rBsc_oto7C8JRApiRcBu1f1l8sD_Q&oe=6587A415 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Goodbye Fixer Upper? This Is The Truth about what Sent Them To Court | HeraldWeekly.com | 40709 | https://facebook.com/followheraldweekly | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55753 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/9/25, 2:10 PM | 1703105772 | 1746817828 | 65 | 675389168040609 | 5 | 1.514792399362E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548134009 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494406 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410391020_335858322487827_4963781805394886314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sWX922NKuxMAX9uY5d3&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDR_2zpfV7Db8YDIm8i420kXx2ZSawoYZLgbNogxeiUWQ&oe=6588D9E9 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409680102_3490899881160127_8282289174309674016_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FTUfmC937IMAX-F7-oP&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfABcPQuefGw_a88cOF-Ed-57HJKHCMvuq4XfBu5uyqnUQ&oe=6588044A | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56098 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/30/25, 10:31 AM | 1703105776 | 1748619107 | 65 | 730803791906917 | 1 | 3.6997009877908E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202260039280476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702181102 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408838510_4489856314571893_5159500688726156747_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x9iqG8f4rbIAX8tpGI7&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCsRfTcB7U-HnyV6iZaWy27n-gFOdF7Mp-s6UAWyMP20w&oe=65880381 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408801612_770902611720440_7169179455957372973_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eHFwnrK8PwYAX9JmnC_&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOtRMvvYSMFnq7rki-pdCD6vFegCMK3J1bCQlwbXcD0w&oe=65880A10 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702195200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56147 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 8:49 AM | 1703105777 | 1745329792 | 65 | 1279266349703200 | 6 | 1.7169165788042E+15 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155242000476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094421 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406754805_2309723275890228_5495855896365724859_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4IGS9hWTi_AAX9Xmzv4&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCluiY311Zpew_ra0Fk2SAmCOFnB4rk_MOuFcfaCC2msA&oe=6588ED32 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406824141_726428422692477_5695838167801331955_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XwyrO1FN62sAX9-kRs0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-7xIDBU9LNTfYi5jFuKsvhMvKAdJCYmIqLQMx43nTaQ&oe=65893F6E | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55603 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/17/25, 3:48 PM | 1703105771 | 1750193285 | 65 | 321703390783387 | 3.5629676042295E+14 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 256859647665050 | 0 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 120203665981080363 | jmazurkiewiczauthor.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://jmazurkiewiczauthor.com/products/the-billionaire-box-set-ebook | 1702630096 | 2.5685964766505E+14 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410243990_736968637816592_3779712419690190804_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kpRkhfXc6oEAX80kceT&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCRnzYVNtax-JVwDiXJxNDUxFCmoYFbl7FtNlVg0oikWQ&oe=65887EFE | person_profile | 0 | JMazurkiewicz 🖌Fantasy Author | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409847767_1349655695667522_356326699611744796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=X9tRwTVUF1kAX8rpgVn&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfByi3uTOtM58R7dJbAUWbaKiBo13OzlqYjCs-gGMjtijQ&oe=6588E405 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 5423 | https://facebook.com/joannamazauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55394 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/16/25, 7:39 AM | 1703105769 | 1739691540 | 65 | 1281938339155580 | 1 | 1.0793255499192E+15 | 1702972800 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 115595778204133 | 0 | joannabornemusic | 120203748037560250 | ffm.to | Learn more | NONE | video | https://ffm.to/moolahla | 1702947723 | 1.1559577820413E+14 | joannabornemusic | https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/405274181_723569662634122_561755125233420363_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=HsSlkw6D-TMAX8P9AMh&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDMkBmLREyVBvmZqEolfyBAwzFk3lRpwrtV8PKAIeCYyQ&oe=6587F49D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Borne | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410015042_1838183029965261_8486838745238102894_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8HGmsL68WdMAX-uKMWp&_nc_oc=AQlr8V_YBcmXZq6IuqOfbPaCAonFoKH-aXsOP0mR1EE-2YcTmK0qtobywuFx01Qokk8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfATJU_DGObLsISzylE1FEQrSDJuIIGvDywuj1qLD9tM7A&oe=65883E53 | 0 | 3 | we actually blew up a car and it was amazing<br /> <br /> find “Moolah-la - Joanna Borne” on any streaming platform! or find the music video on YouTube! <br /> <br /> #newmusic #music #musicvideo #mercedes #explosion #singing #explorepage #explore | joannabornemusic | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannabornemusic | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55776 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 2/16/25, 9:02 PM | 1703105773 | 1739761338 | 65 | 590157363248676 | 5.891996700146E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548026009 | https://joannavargas.com/nyc | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410170502_1497235554399078_6190846843788538637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vYdpHie4ZP0AX9t6-hv&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfAJy7gzzcFsDrA4QgrFEzhbTmZ1T_gYVkNrTEVEZbjA0g&oe=6588CD54 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410868608_1382266252395144_628649207375166051_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rAaZgc80eUsAX9Lpy7W&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfAJbmLTuj4vl0oCk4jG0CBuo7ytiOvyXhEFx4m1Qvae0w&oe=65883376 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56414 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/30/25, 2:29 PM | 1703105780 | 1748633366 | 65 | 703094828583244 | 1 | 6.8262190940986E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104644799243130 | 0 | ArrowSpark Marketing | 120201351769020313 | fb.me | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | http://fb.me/ | 1701469858 | 1.0464479924313E+14 | ArrowSpark Marketing | https://scontent.fosu2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406394956_882073056524552_4080977145442737367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GoaUQAcX3DcAX9HufeA&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-1.fna&oh=00_AfB-qb7KMzQ0KpvCzivNp7HryvWbEMg5hiiSVeZ1MlFRhg&oe=65888F37 | person_profile | 0 | ArrowSpark Marketing | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406382805_198108586691278_8842846085868995525_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B9gzg7viZ6sAX-0dTSZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCevymVGVaXH4u1HSS-OvObyk3eFmYUup34_nVPRyjzWg&oe=6587ABF2 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | ArrowSpark Marketing | 2 | https://facebook.com/100090828885922 | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55951 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 9:38 AM | 1703105775 | 1745332723 | 65 | 331986179624078 | 1.4427714265846E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207704970220456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389004 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409717135_681875847408383_6083353083630581751_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LeKcjUIRpVkAX-hEnIo&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBV7QZdjptC5cWjVw51HGV39Dl-6qqpUy8lUYJjy5wkFA&oe=6587DA0E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55897 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/30/25, 9:02 AM | 1703105774 | 1746021737 | 65 | 1575328209892001 | 7.0468594287293E+15 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100958884835035 | 0 | Panchiko | 6501202207489 | kilbyblockparty.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Kilby Block Party 2024 | May 10-12 | SLC, UT | http://kilbyblockparty.com/ | 1702330177 | 1.0095888483504E+14 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406838200_231565309960775_1127304933187139590_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DDODbGdODbwAX8D6PF3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA8nc1TvSlxVKfpg5nJc95Cap5KRgdwMf--UQahOuQJjA&oe=65885D17 | person_profile | 0 | Panchiko | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406843894_353259927293294_8181145455269953680_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KjlJhJ4ZAvoAX8xbPiF&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBRbInIuGyWSx52_o3UqrYIfOk2NAa6urEhOVXMBk7W3Q&oe=6588238C | 0 | 3 | Panchiko | 2655 | https://facebook.com/PanchikoBand | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55757 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 6:33 PM | 1703105773 | 1744414433 | 65 | 1469884903574525 | 1.3989916943323E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548088009 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494400 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410008796_1809094646284515_7928628037517995281_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=82LD-0w_kJ4AX_MMU46&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDo7nPUwU1UKVPaa-XksQ0vC3dLWr6G3V4v8PY9-2ltSg&oe=6587DC24 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409958833_956304529496568_9185256513361301674_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N9oIvPV6QrwAX_0Xixb&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvb26b6UNVvnPKnCEZ8sBgH9OhELaDxir0VjCIuEet0Q&oe=6587C3C7 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55327 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 12/7/24, 12:11 PM | 1703105768 | 1733595073 | 65 | 1422076675188330 | 1 | 2.9231773144887E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202475490990743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702976718 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020500_274745155220207_5274566174951543037_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H_YOgyARS9UAX-oSgif&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAdasTgVnAf5swUrUbOCfwZxFJ1Kwy4nkhkbYgmLRdFDg&oe=6587E403 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410013835_876634590595870_1784911796101911183_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5dyqXUS-9LAAX9KJvqx&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJEXns_eXrawrJoNGhEbzGQdfghnR2wCbT9G78igL7KQ&oe=658866B5 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55810 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 5:14 PM | 1703105773 | 1743113659 | 65 | 1370148386942935 | 2 | 8.2218921616665E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509784570308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462365 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409753004_238333739279337_5753656751277215505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6ObwfHDe3NYAX_dqlhJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCqSiJtNscGeeA4Sjdg1I-ch2D05jOArb5soLBrO_RRNg&oe=6587984F | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409722383_1400748830854232_3387931507606239173_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wi8Q-Ojf1bAAX9qFgNE&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC0fejwyEID6cazXw42eDg8wMZQx10kdtGwHVMxW3j0mQ&oe=658771BB | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56689 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/24/25, 10:18 PM | 1703105783 | 1742872722 | 65 | 1192947812093630 | 2.4725411142976E+14 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495769223556 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700488723 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403604594_706496401407873_3386959245189523628_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fd7TmYzDhhIAX8L7p1d&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBSIWxYp1OE7UoQY-2hwdCBBZu2mt3ZdUttrWUNkNbTmQ&oe=6587BF9B | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403603740_3617283778488076_2538065533749317892_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oQTvuzwoEdEAX-eBuc0&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwPVyeRkFmiw4bfX3CkOXT3taukSPlXWXP6Evrr-JDgg&oe=65889989 | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55754 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 3:07 PM | 1703105772 | 1746907646 | 65 | 872096627799881 | 1.514792399362E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548095409 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494401 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410390366_884608976317680_5896122965445665496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r8HGOk5FSi4AX9gs_c4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCb3FtIGCIhH4m_5airtTMb2V7woapMTMz_LptUkeUtRA&oe=6587B734 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410459749_365462919304450_5317056330990591518_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSx7vk2aDaoAX_cthZM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLTocfAfvsmkV28vrvIm0W3u9-kTtXqVGml0IwnUdGDA&oe=6587D729 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56375 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/31/25, 12:30 AM | 1703105780 | 1748669414 | 65 | 1751266948630899 | 1.4290925879512E+15 | 1701676800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103687719211673 | 0 | Science A2Z Español | 120202284853770275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701666325 | 1.0368771921167E+14 | Science A2Z Español | https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408202152_371880415500270_3849317056041846675_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wl5BC9BqbQIAX_SL-Zs&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDDD-Uqcw2jnGTX09QuGng0HMhlIr7BauU2GokstO4W-w&oe=6588E81B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | Science A2Z Español | 315 | https://facebook.com/sciencea2z.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55595 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/3/25, 9:32 PM | 1703105771 | 1751596357 | 65 | 1417101402520478 | 1 | 3.64236699618E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120204063381490514 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702631149 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411218039_616883727169889_6804107321138985685_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N6VCyXA5mLIAX-rHESe&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDHSgM61XoMNmKsTQKasi5B9h2SvxEMDmFOMCIgSYSrUw&oe=65884AC3 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411240365_740672654076279_7042458722008446110_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fyKX3DJjyCgAX-ojQAe&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAdCDct2Wnqabo3Bqdo_sxDcezsj94sG56JOU80UPUuSw&oe=6588E471 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56311 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/31/25, 6:59 AM | 1703105779 | 1748692782 | 65 | 1477218733122815 | 1 | 7.1388985528296E+15 | 1701849600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201458488740691 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701856029 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406847843_1616251385571720_185482662528186935_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sQA3eUWTCmIAX8h-7Bx&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCZYvPBj0Llt5hLTFK79DVojsHcuwkNAD0KDNoGVBeGFw&oe=658840C6 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408461966_1030688261523817_7119857373723188168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LwBEI2Y0ubUAX-fPfPP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBlVrytF0H5zT7_8gOS9wokShZfNSD67H85z-NcicBcEA&oe=65889EC0 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56055 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/18/25, 12:10 PM | 1703105776 | 1747588208 | 65 | 372370581862553 | 2 | 7.3397771482276E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204975072320427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287744 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409734057_1974499916253176_3514527949909105610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M-RFg1uc-e0AX-EjQEm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA-0b3PRI_9231PS7Kv8TrqINrkf0-tM-k9rixHEAZlQg&oe=6587DB54 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409831434_843545814444229_683775499534746720_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F1HSGiFmBRoAX-E-F48&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCeHKleOWufsYZ4cgLoz-XZigD_XTPIT2tML809nwh_1w&oe=6588219C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56257 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/23/25, 12:46 PM | 1703105778 | 1748022411 | 65 | 726935509330577 | 1 | 1.8210604950086E+15 | 1701936000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120201997332840476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701940821 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406826906_781000783786590_6629689757407883765_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hMu47JIH-FIAX_O9S8T&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2xxv2qBabMN8ZpIpm3QJdyuv03V4gMsmdr0HnVWv6HQ&oe=6587BE7F | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406848928_2014433612262621_4727363436119663810_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2m8UxeQQZOAAX-4vHng&_nc_oc=AQnvFt5nuDLvXfQhcrATMMASPRKsE0Swht1Q3lppVbocLL_2IEh2R7gtZlCcWLUib-AXp4pyFfLm0m6WrT1NIPuU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDa6VXGeTwPrPYyAJySCgPjK_24kSQzhoaDqZdg1Q6GtA&oe=65879E13 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56509 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/30/25, 7:47 PM | 1703105781 | 1746060434 | 65 | 315017221364229 | 2 | 1.091766922189E+15 | 1701417600 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 103862972598152 | 0 | zendalacraft | 120202009337760005 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | video | http://instagram.com/zendalacraft | 1701261290 | 1.0386297259815E+14 | zendalacraft | https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/327749956_742099477207961_1623403982017122936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=J6STZ9aipkEAX8FIxaK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDqxsvbKRzBPLh38TZ0FAth2-2D4xubiVdAdgPEix0MGw&oe=6588C97D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Medina | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406688728_329301733140448_6018296317037397227_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PbaRMQ0W2AEAX-reoHh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDhgsfTplnqAVrsvPQZldwzViXlxYMOM7L5S0NY_0Q5lQ&oe=6588AC01 | 0 | 3 | TEMA: BRUSH LETTERING NIVEL BÁSICO. EN NAVIDAD 🪅🎄🧑🏻🎄🎅🏻<br /> <br /> Aprenderás desde cero el arte de crear letras!!! <br /> <br /> * MODALIDAD PRESENCIAL :<br /> <br /> 📆 Fecha: Sábado 02 de Diciembre 2023<br /> 📌 Edad: Cualquier edad, A partir de 8 años en adelante !!!<br /> ⏱️ Hora: 9:00 am a 1:00 pm <br /> 💵 Forma de Pago: Zelle, transferencia, pago móvil, PayPal <br /> <br /> 📍LUGAR: Zona Norte, cerca del Sambil, Taller de Arte Zendala Craft, Maracaibo, Venezuela.<br /> Modalidad: PRESENCIAL <br /> ———<br /> Incluye Kit de Materiales:<br /> - Guía Física para prácticas.<br /> - Set de marcadores punta pincel.<br /> - Portaminas, Borrador <br /> - Material para prácticas.<br /> - Refrigerio <br /> <br /> Dictado por: <br /> Dra. Joanna Medina <br /> Arquitecto.<br /> <br /> Contenido del Taller: <br /> 1. Clase Introductoria<br /> 2. Ejercicios de Trazos Básicos, con prácticas guiadas en tiempo real <br /> 3.Alfabeto Sans Serif en letras minúsculas.<br /> 3. Prácticas de abecedario en tiempo real, con variaciones de estilos de letras. <br /> 4.Anatomía de las letras, diseño y de frases o ideas, paso a paso.<br /> 5. Práctica final motivo Navidad <br /> <br /> ————<br /> Para Mayor Información <br /> Cel. 0414-6157656 | zendalacraft | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/zendalacraft | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55438 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 4:57 PM | 1703105769 | 1746914265 | 65 | 859448122521810 | 1 | 1.103828214308E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109740938502350 | 0 | Fun Magazine Box | 120203304968800075 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702889900 | 1.0974093850235E+14 | Fun Magazine Box | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411260294_640896958023472_7711150405356832086_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fX67GOgiLfoAX-BKZmN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBqPzs9QreVoJMj3YylczCma5Kqz-kE60FGsY77gs-xlw&oe=6589042B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Fun Magazine Box | 96 | https://facebook.com/100084306760666 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55626 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:08 PM | 1703105771 | 1745345289 | 65 | 645642487518586 | 1 | 1.4560804249383E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 104721342723985 | 0 | Life Hackmasters | 120201620696390157 | hacksdetective.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.hacksdetective.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702567058 | 1.0472134272398E+14 | Life Hackmasters | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411128978_375448565156589_4509901199443888398_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IBWpEx1o4_QAX-Vev-R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAiqqYY9g3EWMNhHsGsnlwtv3RR5Q45Osl_leNzaJpgsg&oe=6588DD2E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Life Hackmasters | 227 | https://facebook.com/100095737350692 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56432 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:08 PM | 1703105780 | 1745345291 | 65 | 360026020042625 | 1 | 7.6605647406391E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200871953790773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/jkbjam0gbh0sthbqrnksj02p?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701414196 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406119685_763169388985773_107975361296701824_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2MtjhgyWjhIAX-fwwed&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCmeBn4Hzk51F3mVQHavZF-qyqr5eqI9l3r1Rn5KI1tPw&oe=65888121 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406583444_1329474577772548_2480514794040945669_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VdRmmAFa4goAX-Upa9W&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBeOlq4R7DupAJ5r1plL364kxM3BVNDkduhyM7lnlvwyw&oe=6587F795 | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥A car accident, at their engagement party, he decides to marry another woman. She throws the engagement ring he gifted her right back at him, wishing him never to regret his decisions. She assumed she could finally let go of everything and leave, but is pulled into a room by a stranger man. His hot breath ignites the room's temperature, "Help me, I will take responsibility for you." After that night, a priceless ring is forcibly adorned on her ring finger.<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Chasing Love: The Untouched Dream>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56724 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/31/25, 5:26 PM | 1703105783 | 1748730399 | 65 | 882198486782297 | 6.7028769192245E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2166029823488459 | 0 | Marspeta | 120203176193310409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1700908904 | 2.1660298234885E+15 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405753509_363951529340205_8196550894071583093_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gt1ZKyUw9l4AX9R-Yav&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAlv3-O8sEG0-o-8Q4_lUhYNMkCqhcgZ6MrENmD-r5yvw&oe=65885ACE | person_profile | 0 | Marspeta | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405759180_320087547471955_3516593766193948392_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UpK7ouVC_CMAX8jNnHV&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCbyt4fxVl_Ozsa4vAlupymx_dqr3BjM5_7haZn6Ko9JQ&oe=6588556E | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Marspeta | 27676 | https://facebook.com/Marspeta | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56028 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 5:53 PM | 1703105776 | 1746917608 | 65 | 890471655622978 | 1 | 3.2489947987316E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 138576156001792 | 0 | Passport to Adventure | 120203350784910212 | travelfiber.com | Learn more | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.travelfiber.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702294355 | 1.3857615600179E+14 | Passport to Adventure | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409530802_1013933263053438_500847400551941487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ibGAbkkVx1UAX8yad49&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA04a2ASjFuO3kyDKjKyle_gC5O1u2-30B3c_VsoKIq4A&oe=658884F7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Passport to Adventure | 95 | https://facebook.com/61551723967747 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56187 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 1:54 PM | 1703105777 | 1745348090 | 65 | 1740324073098563 | 3 | 5.9298972636324E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204672505550427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702030358 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407754873_366493109299982_4098705275077563855_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l8l_8pBqnOkAX9YG47g&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-4.fna&oh=00_AfAsv3ReC6qRJVZMl4hR3xuI8Xa2-AS0VCNJQSqYqRcwjA&oe=6588CD4E | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent.forf1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407754739_1735869123588066_5170934642463012396_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i7IS1GdPpXcAX9KTBDM&_nc_ht=scontent.forf1-3.fna&oh=00_AfB5CurMEBNNSlUqNbJM7xZDY4O2InZwcLxXXS7fgHzIug&oe=6589058C | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55332 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/1/25, 12:23 AM | 1703105768 | 1748755401 | 65 | 733723251985287 | 1 | 8.3260585522176E+14 | 1702972800 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 102366206250537 | 0 | Family Gift B1 | 120202182986200572 | mfamilygift.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA COLLECTION | Best gifts for your Family | https://mfamilygift.store/joanna-y1 | 1702972501 | 1.0236620625054E+14 | Family Gift B1 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412284707_1080420750071048_187984532208421749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k4HwczzjhpMAX8-zDiD&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBQ87c1-hNgIojb5C5TGmyYy0lj7upIo3tpiUSa3lY3qQ&oe=65881A1A | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Limited edition T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweater,...<br /> View your collection here >> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmfamilygift.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT33JeyZxeYbJOtJbhhVomTjLGoIMJDFh2k5oBCle4eSQWKQ8eDwhIdAWatZ2HeRewFatT9NfZsC5TstJ0dhM5RY2dhEOMyr0mVc06F-zMfeYpMJLzGUv86ENAJQABAkaHAR9k31a6ZdDg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mfamilygift.store/collection/joanna</a> | Family Gift B1 | 14 | https://facebook.com/100094197610389 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56564 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/1/25, 5:09 AM | 1703105781 | 1748772592 | 65 | 666092042061516 | 1 | 8.9547609201014E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203300660470596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701151689 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404656246_1342451323044131_4317743252260102316_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l7SgjzS8VR4AX8wBQFJ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBpzyWl7e-G7sc9yK_T3hm5EjblJw4pxuPn5pNOpL3Q-w&oe=6588805D | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404689807_357524363622707_3342040841233155134_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mHBTDhblLcQAX-yrO8L&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCgOnAdnm3erwv1UxaYmW6sXiWkJVWX6lkcIuxZdKZtcA&oe=65879F13 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56473 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 7:54 PM | 1703105781 | 1746924851 | 65 | 782929836931151 | 3.6876741415128E+15 | 1701417600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 225900558306982 | 0 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 120202134453520728 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement | Announcement that stunned fans. | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/ | 1701332841 | 2.2590055830698E+14 | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406098993_657024609968370_6670021624807874786_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bhskUNr5G6sAX_BX2gr&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDBg38VYMhjCGDPkRrxBqacncMJqUcmFu_Viy7k6hrhew&oe=65888B8D | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news | Lifestyle A2Z Magazine | 644 | https://facebook.com/lifestyle.a2z.magazine | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55234 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 12:42 AM | 1703105768 | 1746942144 | 65 | 265672099516094 | 1 | 9.2147165292709E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 505582332845919 | 0 | Joanna Galant Photography | 120202627179380378 | www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | Get offer | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | 1703022224 | 5.0558233284592E+14 | Joanna Galant Photography | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412272750_331251416467333_2276864514369406415_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vwhPVz91FpgAX_fmJqg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCSZCUd9ERNBUukweei-PMFziI6kkoa_7P9s5zjqc8bRQ&oe=6588FB9D | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Galant | Family and Kids Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412251214_730871161912285_7895548386674396606_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s2OieoIURzgAX8VA6Py&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBIuPXDrc9R2ShU2Dx93XzeoqQIWTzYLe3c_LzdOQlq-w&oe=6587B6BC | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Galant Photography | 6758 | https://facebook.com/joannagalantphotography | 0 | GET_OFFER | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55235 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 12:42 AM | 1703105768 | 1746942152 | 65 | 387391560402818 | 1 | 1.0712381809737E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 505582332845919 | 0 | Joanna Galant Photography | 120202630167320378 | www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | Get offer | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://www.joannagalant.com/woman-and-their-loved-ones | 1703025121 | 5.0558233284592E+14 | Joanna Galant Photography | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411640785_1518104192313652_7380655399122107215_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MroK70rbX8gAX9rrKq2&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBLRTYeC2Y6WweTDJ6kdLpnhR2WezwejldepOkSgemchg&oe=6588D8E7 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Galant | Family and Kids Photographer | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412045691_1380353072583085_2823589961769310191_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HuATz_yTAe0AX9OvFyy&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCyev9KUxfNqY09AedCgC8UiBPxJSx7AUivi82D2pKncA&oe=658802AC | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Galant Photography | 6758 | https://facebook.com/joannagalantphotography | 0 | GET_OFFER | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55682 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 10:25 PM | 1703105772 | 1746933904 | 65 | 6778661542188933 | 4 | 3.1054075861595E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102761368209901 | 0 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 6529578983981 | www.youtube.com | Watch more | NONE | video | 40th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade | https://www.youtube.com/@eatlivelovesanfernandovalley/ | 1702586107 | 1.027613682099E+14 | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411218000_1587893112018221_1658200097810943972_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zFc3QPMootMAX8_D_SZ&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLuK3Ex5o98TvOCHKXo0rHHEAa7fnX0mJnR8PITceYUQ&oe=6588A719 | person_profile | 0 | Eat Live Love SFV | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411224871_634529308669980_8125974428314059154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m4O-WbbtwKAAX_Dfd6x&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDC0xBvPuzlgrqXZ0yaTqn_gsfGqIpMecUeRdJ13NJqJg&oe=6588EEF9 | 0 | 3 | #TBT to the magical moments of the 40th annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade 🎉🎄🕎❤ celebrating community spirit earlier this month. <br /> <br /> A huge THANK YOU to all the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible! 🙏 Your hard work and passion brought our community together in the most amazing way. | Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley | 1829 | https://facebook.com/EatLiveLoveSanFernandoValley | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55922 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 10:25 PM | 1703105775 | 1746933905 | 65 | 1081272079548314 | 1.7354778235962E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 220515471292758 | 0 | Joanna Lindenbaum | 6513041748758 | pages.applieddepthinstitute.com | No button | NONE | image | Unleash Business Brilliance: Master Your Shadows in a Life-Changing Workshop | Joanna Lindenbaum teaches master level facilitation and coaching skills to coaches, healers, therapists and speakers so they can respond powerfully & effectively to the issues their clients bring to them. | https://pages.applieddepthinstitute.com/shadowworkshopregister | 1702421860 | 2.2051547129276E+14 | Joanna Lindenbaum | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409720608_381967714400187_3909102143634331965_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bDeAA-sG9TkAX_vWk-N&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAEzshQqVOwb8DhBEnrElv7QycWxAkAIfkaxNbZMr-qeA&oe=65891980 | person_profile | 0 | Trauma Informed Somatic Coach Training | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409673759_2099808090359978_3843876460843856433_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bsnvd17cK9wAX__BZ-l&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDJ2swUpn_XzKiiUSg_C1lXBVaeAL1YZPCrONNWQ9kJyQ&oe=6588B9B7 | 0 | 3 | Unlock Your Business Potential: Learn to Navigate Business Shadows with a Live Life Changing Workshop. Ever faced these scenarios in coaching or helping businesses:<br /> <br /> ✔ Starting tasks like writing a newsletter but ending up distracted, leaving frustration by day end.<br /> ✔ Avoiding social media posts, despite having valuable content, hindering visibility.<br /> ✔ Allowing clients to extend sessions, feeling taken for granted.<br /> ✔ Holding back from marketing or sharing work with the world.<br /> ✔ Jealousy when others succeed, followed by self-blame.<br /> ✔ Not raising rates, even when it's time.<br /> <br /> Know this: these challenges aren't signs of being unfocused or undisciplined. They're not your fault. Stop beating yourself up! Beneath these issues lies a suppressed shadow—an unexpressed part causing problems!<br /> <br /> You can spend a lifetime boosting focus, discipline, and boundaries. But without addressing your shadow, creating change is hard. Learn to work with your Shadows for real change. There are superpowers hidden inside, and you gain access when working with Shadow!<br /> <br /> Thrilled to invite you to a transformative workshop: Unlock Your Hidden Business Shadow.<br /> <br /> In the workshop:<br /> ✔ Understand what a shadow is through the Jungian lens.<br /> ✔ Learn about three common Entrepreneurial Shadows and recognize them.<br /> ✔ Dive deep into inner work to identify your peskiest Entrepreneurial Shadow.<br /> ✔ Experience somatic techniques to break self-sabotage patterns.<br /> <br /> Join us in this deep inner awareness and work online. I'll be there to guide you as you confront parts of yourself you thought were liabilities but are your greatest resources.<br /> <br /> A privilege to share about the Shadow—always a seed leading to deeper self-love and personal change.<br /> <br /> Transform Your Business, Join Now! | Joanna Lindenbaum | 5549 | https://facebook.com/womenhealingtheworldwithjoannalindenbaum | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56146 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/10/25, 10:25 PM | 1703105777 | 1746933905 | 65 | 1140047673629281 | 1 | 3.3337173611552E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155246610476 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094427 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409457615_879094623954367_5264846599095695042_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HBB0UOx0IckAX_jGsKy&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCpJ8JQ_JcRaUZ9LcAXDvTeFY2dpYZ-iQHgu5QgChl3zA&oe=6588B760 | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408906019_769927771824313_4812600438082515197_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g6lsEQb-Le4AX--0NES&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCRouA0eCI4yN-H4JnmQImaHxAUCCySMKsEj7tNAWS9mA&oe=65877AA3 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56137 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/25/25, 5:29 AM | 1703105777 | 1748168944 | 65 | 666326662367075 | 5 | 4.0040837231424E+14 | 1702195200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 112577815117180 | 0 | YummyRead | 120202155242360476 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔥🔥🔥HOT BOOK 😍😍😍📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/p2twq1zp4ltqdhayeb4s5ssv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702094422 | 1.1257781511718E+14 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406780438_666282688952994_6526422001613627092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TtAm2OddFX0AX-Yuwcf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBDXCH7GkzZtlS6AKfUmOYBVZ2SK1YbdwCdjmUL_MfiAw&oe=658774AC | person_profile | 0 | YummyRead | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408415153_360195576695671_5423771448864174580_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=44IqYheULHEAX-_xyzC&_nc_oc=AQkixHOvFxfgZpKOrueUk-D3jv6BRVmRYLHz6eYvuPUBuqiRmyqTvgq6DRnG5QjJP7U&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB9ahKz0bxFxX8niqu4M84VnO5iEDD-81EiitGiYoy4XQ&oe=6587BEF1 | 0 | 3 | 💔💔💔After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed....<br /> --------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | YummyRead | 570 | https://facebook.com/100091152813550 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55811 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/30/25, 9:19 PM | 1703105773 | 1746065947 | 65 | 1657999608057008 | 1 | 7.2069697331662E+14 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120203509805890308 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702462360 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409931266_1826325587797563_5594555840098952599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jf8A-WBeMKwAX-Dx8GW&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD6pT1_yanxNgQd9H0zH-CyPrGK50juSDrK_Ns6Bujt6g&oe=65890E43 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410015944_673280748158495_3679648254863659542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GvG20eVSAs4AX8B_ovH&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgdqGNsOpU0-I0gIMpkpNylfVe64E59t2z5wG-3VlOzw&oe=6588F822 | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56495 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/1/25, 11:30 AM | 1703105781 | 1748795451 | 65 | 837335971468705 | 6.6195068276272E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1181854881965784 | 0 | Royal Delicacy | 120203290684250409 | royaldelicacy.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Tacky Items Design Guru Joanna Gaines Says You Should Absolutely Not Have in Your House | Are you searching for inspiration to decorate your house? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which decorations and furnishings will truly make your house feel like a home. In these situations, it's best to turn to the experts for guidance. Joanna Gaines, interior design qu... | https://royaldelicacy.com/koen/joanna-gaines-these-tacky-items-should-be-kept-out-of-the-house | 1701290541 | 1.1818548819658E+15 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406106349_370738938857667_2860375360001257847_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oa-JHAhn_4oAX9zZDYH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAcmvb0UbQjLDpmhAJOujX8fgyR1uBII7fUjkFFiuYKnA&oe=65887A81 | person_profile | 0 | Royal Delicacy | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406581939_1496874887582445_204775334050316041_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rue-9_SAPrYAX8XWNQ4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDBouXnULZDbwbVjuP7ze91DpM__ucVSzq7s04qB8uT_A&oe=658889F1 | 0 | 3 | Ignorance is bliss, but now no one has an excuse - these are the items design guru Joanna Gaines says people who don't want tacky homes should avoid like the plague. | Royal Delicacy | 85407 | https://facebook.com/RoyalDelicacyFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701504000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56249 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/2/25, 11:21 PM | 1703105778 | 1735860060 | 65 | 210499445438512 | 1 | 7.6629985160906E+14 | 1702022400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 152073474658862 | 0 | 88.mgifts | 120202119175720236 | mgifts.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS | Best gifts for your Family | https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1701941179 | 1.5207347465886E+14 | 88.mgifts | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407736263_316036114580694_6792001105977155551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xtQBbDrFApQAX8c1wed&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCJ-ZmfuJWVgyf37vR2GfBbDnNE8NbHSoRCIT_In_g-fA&oe=6587EA05 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Get yours here : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fjoanna-things-d6&h=AT2cnuGk74hJsOk50Xpi9x9XUf4r_trDff1ipXYDQrNc2aMqtppSkZx_qv48bXuVaV0FbvRu0zvGh45YtbYZtddLKiFzuei3n2D-_HYFQ6gcut5e1m0VrodNgiQbD2EelcCOxsziFl8O-fGN_fQ-CxGJbDrT5A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6</a> . Visit store : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT0LztzVqoXULK85gQtLdGFkLI9gFj1OImhtdPb8F0Hz2jyPPJiGPVo7VY4Th6QZ-OWwP61jjU5PEbG4Fsitp7tQCXJ_EwXpZoHFe1xVIp8UpX492niONJwk2StERaZWY8BI6Lxod3YJU54eeL4E8RCa4YvCtg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/collection/joanna</a> | 88.mgifts | 1 | https://facebook.com/61552694622291 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701936000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56677 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/4/25, 2:43 AM | 1703105783 | 1735980214 | 65 | 337345975594978 | 5 | 1.0142185298623E+15 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105559839220674 | 0 | Day Magazine Name | 23862145423520740 | toppoptoday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines Opens Up, Breaking Her Silence Before the World. | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://toppoptoday.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-kd-ext/ | 1700806354 | 1.0555983922067E+14 | Day Magazine Name | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404301085_1055795538774670_3182974274907892695_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MfZCpBwiac8AX9eNEUA&_nc_oc=AQnKX4xi4PNup9THFe7podQkYouoTtP6g29QAFXsk1jWE1Oj76-HRohR_BgkjmF8hFE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDwe95tl2JqcBHqbRnhokkJLhuL_OuwRPOFfoNiFkzvdg&oe=6587DA4C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Long-Hidden Truths: Joanna Reveals Husband's Story and Behind-the-Scenes Finale. | Day Magazine Name | 84 | https://facebook.com/100092990978966 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56285 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/22/25, 9:44 PM | 1703105778 | 1745376262 | 65 | 313737831561071 | 4 | 1.0403142506366E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6543259983710 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701899281 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407715359_736239448347658_6550084272692278471_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jHIBiFJ41B8AX-iPNKD&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD540J1t3nAhi0cLUtaFeM3s7mUj2diBXmt5Cd4fBuOfA&oe=6588BA62 | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393732441_1520155035497308_5761476591957823328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h2oR5Us-QwMAX-TgiLf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCyOXh6OiQt0xzUjPE9WcPjrQtb14SfLMuec0LrScJQuA&oe=6587C7E0 | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56786 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 1/4/25, 12:04 PM | 1703105784 | 1736013871 | 65 | 818601436732310 | 2 | 1.0865183693824E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220428240404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582506 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404539772_248231144649313_1179773499869193223_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M4E-AN37fagAX9ony_D&_nc_oc=AQl8wf5ZhkmGmApJm2N8zzqz_o0nTzmPH2BO6lRa9EdxvazNqn0YB2CWf_OOUbR_nCU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD2vQXrnoyrW2f6wH4U0wdg6ovhiUAsgFKrpL5jsEOoyQ&oe=65890212 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404507236_879104440402448_8337592565682680846_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UBvLlgQm0HQAX-ltyh0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDD2qnTNH1hUtANv_O6DQqpeNa3zcL0VQz1Cd8rqID0aw&oe=6587F4B3 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56925 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/2/25, 2:37 AM | 1703105785 | 1748849878 | 65 | 717849213255813 | 6.4373481125526E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721249030167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679265 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402946191_307574395500084_5630667761958460280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lg72Sx5xJxkAX-6AFBn&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBU9LvLIiNJC2dswEl2sNcMthfEw5vISDBw0fSURmDBQg&oe=65876B4C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56909 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/11/25, 8:38 PM | 1703105785 | 1747013916 | 65 | 668598175255555 | 8.5894191571687E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 523647427690922 | 0 | Ink on Indy | 120201778904010250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677851 | 5.2364742769092E+14 | Ink on Indy | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404641104_695922715605664_4661830556968240599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JX0QMFBt9K0AX96aclO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmx5XAIsWJ0PPFKGJZ-zPUpQ5MlG4kw2jLd_P7XqNL8g&oe=65889C1E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ink on Indy | 471 | https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56825 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/23/25, 1:10 AM | 1703105784 | 1745388654 | 65 | 719009593434292 | 1.297378697477E+15 | 1701590400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495714867956 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 40-50% OFF | Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates | Start your New Year off with Wisdom. | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700485661 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKayuX-3JXIAX-Vv_7R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC1FkVs7-o6DlSZiE05y9Vbk52SOlY1L1fF0WGby2iRgw&oe=6587F304 | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iIzwmS9EthQAX9kBnak&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDT9KM_3Lz_0oHSpkOlxL6To2SIHoMaCmhE_YJ6NmI5oA&oe=6587627A | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55948 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/3/25, 4:14 PM | 1703105775 | 1741040059 | 65 | 252325024302789 | 7.060869210673E+15 | 1702454400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1914785225460488 | 0 | History All Day | 120207704970930456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702389042 | 1.9147852254605E+15 | History All Day | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409707390_1510547362847178_2665010040968094253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vIzmeeIjS2kAX_w4V3R&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBw140q0V2PHZMcvyxHBZ_rOVi7bqwL6LYt9CXxCHYgig&oe=6588DCF3 | person_profile | 0 | HistoryAllDay | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409830854_882606169878071_8644514474231310445_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q3HOuxHxFNUAX8xuf0b&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBVI7ivfhQkbJOQdyXQZGDyjmzPM4NJ0B5bKSH-wYyL2g&oe=65888B21 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History All Day | 884383 | https://facebook.com/historyallday | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56451 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/23/25, 2:58 AM | 1703105780 | 1745395098 | 65 | 594683709450046 | 4 | 1.9964064007525E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 118604561669134 | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | 6510449898110 | dice.fm | Shop now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://dice.fm/partner/fv-ads/event/6226q-primavera-sound-porto-2024-6th-jun-parque-da-cidade-porto-tickets?dice_id=1935360&dice_channel=web&dice_tags=paid&dice_campaign=FV+Ads&dice_feature=marketing&_branch_match_id=1183848254982601350&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1fcysbQ0TzQ0SU62MAYAHaDG7SEAAAA%3D | 1701369533 | 1.1860456166913E+14 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407190818_1465009054368459_8696303438273762977_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mcY3JNFefisAX-LpXSR&_nc_oc=AQk72aD_bzVlcqUDUTaX7Gtk-fug6kvdOBJLtuORB445zcHgIWfqMPsxjapmAUCIUYU&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAvOAnYb_1qjhKuL_fzTdKjNU1ZXZWFAND3NWupEx9wag&oe=65879EBE | person_profile | 0 | Primavera Sound Porto | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407172485_1084039609398767_7438305921099024858_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SsPefVxggw8AX8HCGOf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD6mll4eiXQQHPhJcDesy04VPQvY4Z2oiYaEP40hss8tQ&oe=658941EC | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Primavera Sound Porto | 127015 | https://facebook.com/primaveraporto | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55336 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/3/25, 9:00 PM | 1703105769 | 1741057241 | 65 | 383548274240528 | 1 | 1.0669582110062E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207260708280777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | image | The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702966498 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412408767_238607532587631_6193836372013167093_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zXB1GyxtR5gAX_P3xzb&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDeqO3Vq7vYyWJWkzwxO_JSZL3HWuLoJTSVJEev6ekAGg&oe=65883C63 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411290017_1752982585202200_3560309234359485866_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ewvlPVaUWXMAX9P7ZIz&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAm920tJBI6QIuoUBPEEDrhRkG-a1AHJOwe-f62OuDNSw&oe=658890EE | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55298 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 6:21 AM | 1703105768 | 1742383298 | 65 | 7081785548575835 | 1 | 3.7341393175656E+14 | 1703059200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534178620696 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | image | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1703005015 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411246703_733666411973085_1575977904832540796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B1hTS_Wzy30AX_tLoF_&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCSH0Mv-ZMZ27fXuEXO1Sk-InbhsmQAbdWWg7d_6-4aWg&oe=6588B489 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411263206_888660522741202_8709216064682469239_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tacg0-TCPPEAX8KYqXC&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCWU8r3pEGSaLOzTSoUL2dcZW2RgTD_qO7e3Fw0PoMicg&oe=658820F9 | 0 | 3 | ✨✨💝HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY💝✨✨ this is my last give away of year 2023! The biggest give away I am doing this year !! The prize is all my mini sessions of 2024! Valentines ✨easter ✨mothers day ✨summer ✨fall ✨christmas in studio to Enter Please share this on your story ✨tag your Friends in this post ✨like my recent posts ✨like my account and follow ✨winner will be announced on New Years Eve 🥰 the prize will go to one lucky person !! Have fun | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56531 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 7:09 AM | 1703105781 | 1742386184 | 65 | 894605081707261 | 1 | 2.885993269208E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 125913043824189 | 0 | Myteez Store 1186 | 120201603745290604 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls24 | 1701242145 | 1.2591304382419E+14 | Myteez Store 1186 | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406659286_369623182177371_6049625492126312948_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Uo00bk4Y868AX_3beAK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD7m6XPIc2nulTISHfeLPJH35FSkorrqXqZsHfqt12BvQ&oe=65881919 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls24&h=AT0EELjZeRN9BNnannnd6ePm-fdjZ-kZAThKKKJMs_riAlMD4gByMDKmK35cJMbz13ehrYftUfrkHeT_PuagblLCvCGBRX88uAgt4h7tHQuuOMh7Kdl_UFIqPWeEaDC2kzYrNzcmNqwo67H41Ph1pR36dr3rDsPKxWfGpA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls24</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT32xPDuLw1dKr-095RFzZ_qX3ZIe7vObYM7zVI97J2OFeILzO3WSJxRz3xLojwyWun9MuBI4OMvNSiPtT7Zlha_GxVW8yYzysbHYpnJoCc2eF3e48HjohlxJ4jzWtwPivW2lId7NSj4yVKQLTLIrFjlYqTMJdfkvW-jqQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Myteez Store 1186 | 1 | https://facebook.com/100095118730962 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56585 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/19/25, 3:08 PM | 1703105782 | 1742414897 | 65 | 326647760081179 | 4 | 1.4494994856136E+15 | 1701590400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 182068528313229 | 0 | 62.mgifts | 120201156801180721 | mgifts.store | Shop now | NONE | image | JOANNA THINGS D6 | Best gifts for your Family | https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6 | 1701146939 | 1.8206852831323E+14 | 62.mgifts | https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406095379_1272116460142325_6912279525746463107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2TtG_hQI6FUAX9M29Pg&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDTWoMuUpmRXwETYn_Gq0sdI4TvenWhtTm9ifdHafCXDg&oe=658869AE | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Get yours here : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fjoanna-things-d6&h=AT3hhszC6uYH0XfKztA-HnrM1OXnzLpWymHavop_9OVXdKDLPI88hakbBvNqHWDGGqZ4kQ8DG3KpRuHODOplqlhx7-v-MGRkxE9NH9KxNPxcPtUGGSHrPI4uBSmpEEIzBd5LjcDvNa64B3CboVv99w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/joanna-things-d6</a> . Visit store : <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmgifts.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3uM1pJlRipmyOP3j4q8xn4tZQ-Hz_iX5Ux64QRHh4uD4fCU7JcwV9Mr696Q6tKVF494ypitx-U6Zy6fLKKHvIn9WkdM121mtUyYM-MK9he8HqKFPvLgfl-jGwKv3n7ivtcYPdSM2jj5IEbK4aAHg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://mgifts.store/collection/joanna</a> | 62.mgifts | 9 | https://facebook.com/61553723751525 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56321 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 8:22 AM | 1703105779 | 1742476968 | 65 | 1078392283173317 | 1 | 1.0665252945409E+15 | 1702022400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 118760431268839 | 0 | lookporcelaingirl | 120202569928240681 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/lookporcelaingirl | 1701854150 | 1.1876043126884E+14 | lookporcelaingirl | https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/358377870_1425775771603663_8927361842888995981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=rchcw-7S-MgAX_dcagn&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBJ-3q_FuCpKBjMh4q9NQCUGE5kaUmFIzHAXeNsiq2t1g&oe=65879D0A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | em. | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408101782_898204595008042_5369834192116004201_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SwgCN1Ft9VcAX_qpMkr&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDW5UFa_0ioH0KPnxc2H9h9vV1VtFo0hPOFX0v25jBhqg&oe=6588D8D3 | 0 | 3 | żeby listkom było wietrznie<br /> i żeby sercu <br /> bezpiecznie.<br /> <br /> w z i e l e n i z:<br /> @jolawachelfotografie <br /> @joanna8grzywacz <br /> @monikaturekfashion <br /> <br /> fascynator:<br /> @marta_ruta_hats <br /> <br /> #sesjafashion #fashion #fashionsession #photosession #model #modelka #sesjaproduktowa #sesjamodowa #fashionphotography #fashionstyle #retro #retrostyle #fashionmodel #polskamarka #martarutahats #oplotka #streetphotography #naturalphotography #nature #streestyle #streetphotos #fotografiaartystyczna #art #artphoto #retrofashion #photoart | lookporcelaingirl | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/lookporcelaingirl | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55929 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/20/25, 12:52 PM | 1703105775 | 1750441921 | 65 | 1093653138737571 | 5 | 1.4427714265846E+15 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100602492862162 | 0 | History Nation | 120207709833060456 | historyallday.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper Breaks Her Silence | History that inspires, intrigues and matters | https://www.historyallday.com/renovation-revelations-former-fixer-upper-clients-tell-all-about-their-experience-on-the-show/ | 1702392202 | 1.0060249286216E+14 | History Nation | https://scontent.fric1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409206827_3647622108828590_6464023742606942886_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G_Han-KqesoAX8MSFtl&_nc_ht=scontent.fric1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAJXYplKTz3x6PBaVlzblAOK9dIL1ihcKm9CRlXBKvi-A&oe=6587F66F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Producers concealed this from the public for an extended period, but now Joanna not only broke her silence about her husband but also revealed the behind-the-scenes events that led to the show's conclusion. | History Nation | 3498 | https://facebook.com/100087250000253 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702368000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55386 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 3:49 PM | 1703105769 | 1742503781 | 65 | 898466568328721 | 7.047505505317E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120204345063450002 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702956713 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411798326_1316964855596949_7613937276037781506_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BgqfQr3vUpAAX9SR4X2&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBUmhchDRkZrMzE0ajqAqewG_ayOPZyCEwQGYHiXDHQWw&oe=65889EEA | person_profile | 0 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411989635_673009548312743_5549174573115231077_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JwJnw303hzAAX_6sW6x&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA4rfGdHHYqiBM94H9QNLMRdHCQqiSsBXj0-5zk5Qfs8A&oe=6587929A | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55827 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/20/25, 4:32 PM | 1703105773 | 1742506372 | 65 | 393129659714213 | 1 | 1.8175474620185E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110916277844320 | 0 | Limestone County, TX | 120207790131550456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Limestone County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702458394 | 1.1091627784432E+14 | Limestone County, TX | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410364289_3797707120515710_5255515740008030068_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x71PZ-oqXokAX-IwmET&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvpN2iK-0tZ0a5n9uB19QbvLFrb4czvdhggQefC11gYA&oe=658938B6 | person_profile | 0 | Limestone County, TX | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410466960_230454256743404_253838543600616316_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HrD3drir6IEAX9ksBcc&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBcjQCz_8LDF58Q6vs4XMk8Tdyxjon6B6X_THwGX9bo_Q&oe=6588A67A | 0 | 3 | Limestone County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Limestone County, TX | 88 | https://facebook.com/100068186056312 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55703 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/2/25, 3:08 PM | 1703105772 | 1748894898 | 65 | 1428558261033651 | 1 | 8.5265784994045E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 106615994946007 | 0 | Bosque County, TX | 120207903943760456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Bosque County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702543718 | 1.0661599494601E+14 | Bosque County, TX | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409991019_1078806286594677_7410087529604239883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ChRdoZcZ8aQAX-ZTu-p&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDtl2apzJF3pQ9Xg5KReBmVCjOSr7xLotXoQft1tAEBbA&oe=65885522 | person_profile | 0 | Bosque County, TX | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409932134_891463985923484_3490707117950300410_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TaEi2YnCj_0AX9r_fam&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXY9lDdWp7pGzNkNEsC8ZqZT_qdrYlS4K_9n1IaAn-kg&oe=6588CE51 | 0 | 3 | Bosque County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Bosque County, TX | 16 | https://facebook.com/100068063392800 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56752 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/23/25, 12:30 AM | 1703105784 | 1742707807 | 65 | 798099705416635 | 1 | 7.0387344507037E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 120976047665655 | 0 | Theteeaz Shop 1025 | 120201581401360469 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls31 | 1700888206 | 1.2097604766566E+14 | Theteeaz Shop 1025 | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404452951_2448630782191296_858492662100038493_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JqyUjXrA-8kAX80-8ZO&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBTLXMQT19USLCJ-jCpKcUQfncjncpUNzqjmqawPscK5Q&oe=658912EC | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls31&h=AT18XiWszxsjrrmSYCFFi-Qygfl-jiD6lFh2DrDg23Sg6LnVgUNoOw7qDaaB0Nnz9tU4CWoYxo0RaETGrkgivLXbu_YJZDnL5jJusNulbWHDzY7QYRV8xJus69mR31LdZU6Kg7TAUBoZaV0WpqeBu3tdztPK_wX_qGJ3OGuOwis" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="origin">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls31</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT1CsllWGE-NUxK0hTmu9FtLBULXd3gMLGhhn_GPdwuwo6qpuGC8WcCibQm1sov8R1vAEIuWWC6w2hjjeD5hyO6fp1ojlP6K3tMDPZjoZSVSrUI_hmIyz6K_hzeqf8usOLK_oXiQ8YJjOt0V92N1GRXSAPf0-YuoadYoEOpHLCo" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="origin">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Theteeaz Shop 1025 | 0 | https://facebook.com/100095086818770 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55600 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/23/25, 10:48 AM | 1703105771 | 1742744904 | 65 | 3449610785350826 | 1 | 2.2648962039529E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100831408867367 | 0 | Jim Wells County, TX | 120208020275670456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Jim Wells County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702630764 | 1.0083140886737E+14 | Jim Wells County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410514273_846360670519256_612902972363010939_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4_O9kHeS3kUAX_oMC9c&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfArq4xoiNLHXOAlxM6TSv2IWmPgScBESbLdcgbOfKW6ww&oe=65883549 | person_profile | 0 | Jim Wells County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410531158_3586919028248397_5512991808327753352_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ow_RcgEtdvAAX_zzTzf&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfByBijeOr8gFBblSjT1SDbCrRydMC2tB7PilP2nAiFUWg&oe=65878CE7 | 0 | 3 | Jim Wells County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Jim Wells County, TX | 88 | https://facebook.com/100068356105072 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56687 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/23/25, 7:16 PM | 1703105783 | 1742775383 | 65 | 1531681917593939 | 1 | 6.9289558538608E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1598210863727191 | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 6483247564312 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapilarczyk | 1701029555 | 1.5982108637272E+15 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405599725_684444803788470_5424530738946560033_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5wUdzwWxZtMAX8RRPab&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCvHfXeO370MI6DbXgvC-0nde3XkTW1wwYcTM2n0d5k6g&oe=65890C51 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405609833_1274031936592917_850110808933622868_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wknZoW7_8L0AX8kSi2l&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCdRJT8Sjj7q4tGar1RbuCdJp3IfJYC-w8SbZCuUa_jlQ&oe=6587E99F | 0 | 3 | I am happy to be featured in the 7th Anniversary Special Edition, Issue #40 of @createmagazine, fondly dubbed "The Humor Issue". <br /> Thank you to the curators, Katerina Popova, Alicia Puig and Christina Nafziger, for selecting me for a little interview among other wonderful artists:)<br /> <br /> This issue is a delightful exploration of how humour intertwines with artistic expression, showcasing an array of artists who skillfully use humour to navigate life's complexities.<br /> <br /> The Create Magazine, Issue 40, is available on Amazon and in stores like McNally Jackson (NYC), Charlotte Street News (London), Paradigm Gallery (Philadelphia), Delaware Contemporary (Wilmington), and more.<br /> <br /> #createmagazine #Issue40 #artpublication #artistinterview #artmagazine #contemporaryartmag #printedartpublication #interview #artistspotlight #CreateMagazine #HumorInArt #ArtCommunity #ArtAndLaughter | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 915 | https://facebook.com/JoannaPilarczykArt | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55374 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/24/25, 8:12 AM | 1703105769 | 1742821945 | 65 | 895624972103392 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56947 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/24/25, 8:15 AM | 1703105786 | 1742822148 | 65 | 870052081196980 | 5 | 6.4373481125526E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 117213418078747 | 0 | Explore & Engage | 120200721249030167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679265 | 1.1721341807875E+14 | Explore & Engage | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402946191_307574395500084_5630667761958460280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lg72Sx5xJxkAX-UGm8Z&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAX48ZLnad7EbA7xZHM5Jkg671PsKwahGCiZRFSGc_Kqw&oe=65876B4C | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Explore & Engage | 34 | https://facebook.com/100094201628883 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55529 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/25/25, 4:21 PM | 1703105770 | 1742937716 | 65 | 1432194340667848 | 1 | 3.0213621263957E+14 | 1702800000 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 118760431268839 | 0 | lookporcelaingirl | 120203487811020681 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/lookporcelaingirl | 1702679266 | 1.1876043126884E+14 | lookporcelaingirl | https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/358377870_1425775771603663_8927361842888995981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=rchcw-7S-MgAX8_1Gmo&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfASOvB22Q-jr1phYemK--QxEvYuQrE4ehDTuEnnSzd-jw&oe=65879D0A | ig_ads_identity | 1 | em. | https://scontent.fjan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411080290_253845767498582_1912123639835930660_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hQ2YxvqRhf8AX9U01H7&_nc_ht=scontent.fjan1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAiRQg62kEXPE1WN6LdWPjk4PfWL3CVwqrlSetEk5_mLA&oe=65881381 | 0 | 3 | k a p e l u s z n i k cz.2<br /> <br /> @jolawachelfotografie <br /> @joanna8grzywacz <br /> @monikaturekfashion <br /> @oplotka <br /> @marta_ruta_hats <br /> <br /> #sesjafashion #fashion #fashionsession #photosession #sesjaproduktowa #sesjamodowa #fashionphotography #fashionstyle #fashionmodel #model #modelka #polskamarka #martarutahats #oplotka #streetphotography #streetphotos #streetstyle #hat #retro #retrofashion #klasa #szyk #wehikulczasu | lookporcelaingirl | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/lookporcelaingirl | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55590 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/25/25, 6:56 PM | 1703105771 | 1742947012 | 65 | 362037716511350 | 1 | 1.5524534855646E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 104667795144253 | 0 | Tyler County, TX | 120208028010830456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Tyler County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702633897 | 1.0466779514425E+14 | Tyler County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409921758_7020221678068301_1105030292078387997_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yUmYrY1xz4UAX_jpLCQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDBMg9DUjBR9jud0wWJaNuNkSsbTsQq5gUi-PLrFJOXAg&oe=6587D686 | person_profile | 0 | Tyler County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409984041_1795830684182000_6680567984637943091_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qNeBgJRGu7EAX_JFGuW&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCG3PNSwCahKwlmSQzTxkvQnT3h-IysOXJP20rjKjXxpQ&oe=65879436 | 0 | 3 | Tyler County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Tyler County, TX | 46 | https://facebook.com/100068140698663 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56293 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 11:16 AM | 1703105778 | 1743005772 | 65 | 329280173385203 | 1 | 2.5032520565207E+15 | 1702022400 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 113745823383431 | 0 | kimberley.joanna | 120201648908000249 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/kimberley.joanna | 1701886275 | 1.1374582338343E+14 | kimberley.joanna | https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/309066088_1267147980687113_3769485699294236454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=yvhyzbH-2Y8AX_L-yTL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBYjVBO1Ae1hzo0pbd3DSUVqgFWZp3LAzuHyhEbUOkLYg&oe=65878C8F | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Kimberley Joanna | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407695387_885194993046179_8780672697960963527_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Kt9gEXt2j-sAX-ZFRfD&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC28LCOIQdn96fMiU4gGtw3JTfHjom0xTpI0w_zjTpjvQ&oe=65892207 | 0 | 3 | New flashes searching for a Home, send Email or Dm if you are interested ✨still some slots left for Berlin 14-16! <br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> <br /> artist #femaleartist #blackworktattoo #woodcut #woodcuttattoo #abstracttattoo #inked #tatted #abstract #wannado #illustration #procreate #tattookrefeld #tattoogermany #blackink #undergroundtattoo #undergroundartist #holzschnitttattoo <br /> #artobscurae #onlythedarkest #ttism #contemporarytattoing #germantattoers<br /> #onlyblackart #ignorant_tattoo | kimberley.joanna | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/kimberley.joanna | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1701849600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55597 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/26/25, 8:06 PM | 1703105771 | 1743037605 | 65 | 1028507341768986 | 1 | 3.2934888323271E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 101878958761116 | 0 | Leon County, TX | 120208020294750456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Leon County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702630772 | 1.0187895876112E+14 | Leon County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410868311_877955813988151_8956788679821608632_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ogt4X-zierUAX--hN-u&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCHw4DXJxUe9IMuERlTZ9UHHt4crGl4dMEuDV1CBgP6Fg&oe=6589385E | person_profile | 0 | Leon County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410125441_896681872040637_5056079765935957781_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rAMqzeJLXWAAX9DeuYb&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBts8t8Khw6mA_71wJ5KhIceVJ2LlL-F58OcOUBb-iSNw&oe=658824A7 | 0 | 3 | Leon County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Leon County, TX | 45 | https://facebook.com/100068781831891 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56955 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 3:31 AM | 1703105786 | 1743064300 | 65 | 905988481130265 | 5 | 7.2234098268851E+14 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109657078608486 | 0 | Learn Something | 120200721153830167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679055 | 1.0965707860849E+14 | Learn Something | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405499495_6696053400449536_785684262627965749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_NOCFM-m1mYAX9rVc8G&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8Lng8a0OVg0VpyU3Korcp9eVhGGxsacZvamJ7nCTYHg&oe=65887AB5 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Learn Something | 5352 | https://facebook.com/100086954096959 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56170 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 3:31 AM | 1703105777 | 1743064313 | 65 | 680508337527775 | 1 | 8.682099414404E+14 | 1702627200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 132805209916985 | 0 | Gotoz Shop 41 | 120201675610660447 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls44 | 1702042526 | 1.3280520991698E+14 | Gotoz Shop 41 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409003677_1107149366938567_5759689275238973259_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eu_lccnm8ucAX_1RnAh&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDXrZb6vgl8dX1bMhlAptTmQxjr4uGZmJy2LN56-Uuzlw&oe=65887EF1 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls44&h=AT2KCi3sGNVHmacdN678fxDh4o4Cb3gpFRIjc5fA8-b6mYDxsxA3TZbn3W9raqVtr3kGTNK7oPfzVhUq4H7C_6fEFzdmiTbJ78B1Gzz5ChfvErgkZitZCZ7S16ydHPWpb9Wgso9buvQTXDGwZVN-ATjtz9YwMUZi0tOhJw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls44</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT2k81e9cubNRzW43R4s2mhInzip2bY-zgnb6hI943Dc2tgknhWeOnRROOQkTiyDAHKFm03k80DfEXjxdI1Stn56gIYaaJC2OlI2zTc7cyx0f7TzLNMtNUBKE7sFa9k2GtVpBEJ-pz6Quj72dgKzlNDaRa4TchsSaGIBpQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Gotoz Shop 41 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61551865623424 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702022400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56885 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 5:16 AM | 1703105785 | 1743070570 | 65 | 256417307433725 | 4 | 1.0318422547396E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 103572269079942 | 0 | Ask Me That | 120200721011560167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700678821 | 1.0357226907994E+14 | Ask Me That | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404328773_1017772942786960_6287617802985419107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fiLiPGFBw6UAX9hdxvC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBXh5q15ZLK4hVQRvqZa6cz7FZcdErnNXnFfLNaOpeFlg&oe=6588C10F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Ask Me That | 382 | https://facebook.com/100083141606717 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55377 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 9:21 AM | 1703105769 | 1743085284 | 65 | 908121574154715 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX8fEc10&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfApy4aIKhrgMgWdTPUXdt98C21wTOxDE7TDjaI7nqiUOg&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55604 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 9:30 AM | 1703105771 | 1743085813 | 65 | 907515721035577 | 1 | 1.020650009263E+15 | 1702886400 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 256859647665050 | 0 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 120201457035180363 | jmazurkiewiczauthor.com | Learn more | NONE | video | Mafia Romance Bundle 6 Ebooks for $26! | Get it directly from the author! | https://jmazurkiewiczauthor.com/products/mafia-romance-collection-6-ebooks | 1699788028 | 2.5685964766505E+14 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400878005_212144981903568_3523736361010078973_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hYb2NvNu-hMAX9znsa7&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB6f4AbNAKAqcA_FZ5DrmE9YQvpXVU6KSmO_9VkViQMiQ&oe=6588E9D3 | person_profile | 0 | JMazurkiewicz 🖌Fantasy Author | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401083248_735249228643846_3069821587036976078_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uFCymfHZe9cAX_FcXSD&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCTHPDXQYgmQFi58hIkn6InZGRpctt_l26QQZC_8L1q4g&oe=6588213D | 0 | 3 | 🌹💔Poor Merry thinks she's broken because no guy can make her have the big O. Turns out she just needed Daddy, uhm I mean Ivo. When his sons couldn't do it it for her, Daddy stepped on and stepped up. He proved to her she's far from broken. I'm definitely reading the rest of their story.🔥🎁 | Joanna Mazurkiewicz - Author | 5423 | https://facebook.com/joannamazauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55672 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/27/25, 5:25 PM | 1703105772 | 1743114307 | 65 | 1043163223500871 | 1 | 3.4359308400025E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 416589001735771 | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | 120203556276720552 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/djjoannacoelho | 1702600017 | 4.1658900173577E+14 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410995491_1570178770186785_6646600768683635044_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nu3sT5aucrkAX_w13xT&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCm9dlcgMqcsTqVc5MjYDWKDhNlXGb7GU2TBMMeSZEGFw&oe=6588CC92 | person_profile | 0 | JOANNA COELHO | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409844980_324130483896559_566878712683265800_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0R-nbJlwE-4AX9o5UiN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCgO7Cgwvd60LUps-2Sf6sMuxTitbua0ShZBqRp0mSXkw&oe=65881A23 | 0 | 3 | @soundwavesfest official After party at @almanua.pt was 🤟🥵🔥<br /> <br /> Thank you to everyone involved 🙏💙<br /> <br /> TID @djalextb - Open Your Mind ( UNRELEASED )‼️<br /> <br /> #technogirl #ravers #ravegirls #raveparty #technolovers #berlin #hardtechnodjane #party #technoculture #ravergirl #technoravers<br /> #Techtok #joannacoelho | JOANNA COELHO | 21301 | https://facebook.com/djjoannacoelho | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55268 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 1:46 AM | 1703105768 | 1746686768 | 65 | 888243889600080 | 1 | 1.4532630452535E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 109912667013395 | 0 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 120203085071140183 | Send message | NONE | multi_images | 1702499767 | 1.099126670134E+14 | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410182060_332423916256290_5852487600943189027_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jbdW09Vha3MAX8WmgIA&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD4oiZNuxLjZg5G85zys3jIVoKM1DgHMFPkd91QMaTbFQ&oe=65882A87 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | No need to watch a Hallmark movie for that magical, Christmas experience! Fort Bend County has some amazing LOCAL events that are fun, family friendly ways to enjoy the holiday season! 🎄 <br /> Check these events out:<br /> <br /> - Gallery Furniture has transformed into a holiday paradise. This winter wonderland is free to the public from 6-9pm each evening! Visit their Grand Parkway location to see an amazing display.<br /> - Candy Cane Lane in Quail Valley, AKA Robinson Road. Each year the neighbors on Robinson Road wow visitors with their amazing holiday displays. Hop in the car any time after dark for a great light display!<br /> - December 17th is the last chance to get a free photo with Santa at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SugarLandTownSquare">Sugar Land Town Square</a>. Photos start at 1pm and Santa heads back to the North Pole so arrive early to secure your spot in line.<br /> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PGlightsHayride">Pecan Grove Christmas Lights & Hayrides</a>: Pecan Grove Neighbors consistently wow people from all over the area with their amazing lights. Drive the neighborhood on your own, or take the family on a hayride! <br /> - There are still tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet at Smart Financial for Dec 29th. This epic ballet is a must see at least once! <br /> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SugarLandHolidayLights">Sugar Land Holiday Lights</a> is at Constellation Field through Jan 1.<br /> <br /> I look forward to attending many of these events in our area & hope to see you there! Let me know if there are any other holiday events you're excited about here in Fort Bend County!<br /> <br /> - Joanna | Joanna Ouderkirk, REAL Estate | 22 | https://facebook.com/JoannaHoustonHomeGals | 0 | MESSAGE_PAGE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55787 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 10:14 AM | 1703105773 | 1743174890 | 65 | 333344986124991 | 1 | 3.2209915067137E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1598210863727191 | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 6518371307712 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapilarczyk | 1702486633 | 1.5982108637272E+15 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409747895_369821885708438_2459548752278473729_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UvVkVrY3aQEAX9-KtUY&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCSV6s3elIRxGKBWnTp_GKF6Qfx1F-ldcYr7IdDrhHvaQ&oe=658905CE | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409761384_294347066372362_8002350510167993180_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cb1G7J6QE28AX9sLMkh&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfB5FN0O4Pf3FvMSH-1clji3FdamxF5wuZqf0AIHGeUY4Q&oe=6587AF1B | 0 | 3 | Happy news from @riseart Team today:) My painting ’Lazy Weekend’ has found a new home in France. <br /> This was one of the first paintings from the ‘Intimate Times’ series focused on self-portraits with my cats. Definitely, one of those unique works portraying a special time in my life. <br /> Thank you, Rise Art:)<br /> <br /> #soldpainting #riseart #artgallery #soldartwork #contemporaryart #figurativepainting #modernrealismart #Polishartist #selfporyrait #londonbasedartist | Joanna Pilarczyk Art | 915 | https://facebook.com/JoannaPilarczykArt | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55364 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 11:11 AM | 1703105769 | 1743178314 | 65 | 870876247870384 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55296 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 8:47 PM | 1703105768 | 1743212826 | 65 | 373692558678329 | 1 | 8.4326891396404E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 103863061327591 | 0 | A Test Account for Vin | 120202737561180167 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/juliabfeesir | 1703007551 | 1.0386306132759E+14 | A Test Account for Vin | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412707801_1534591354046850_2511089786835681934_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ajgOi01dKH8AX-qw5c5&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDCITXJX1xQE9Pcw9aCofFs8jb6ZJ06NFLxewolY1I7Uw&oe=658918BD | person_profile | 0 | Julia B. Fee Sotheby's Realty | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412281485_859590019280871_7665735574537675650_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q62Sa3cUA6sAX_sXX1J&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCBjLzGzMmfwOaNjOBemy-9KMtQN1aStwbDYvdyeyNILQ&oe=658762CC | 0 | 3 | Welcome home to 10 Nancy Lane, quite possibly the highest peak in Chappaqua, NY, sitting at 720' with magnificent views.<br /> <br /> 10 Nancy Lane, Chappaqua, NY<br /> $2,875,000<br /> 6 Bedrooms<br /> 5/1 Baths<br /> <br /> Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own this beautiful home, listed with @amy_joanna_team. Learn more via the link in bio.<br /> <br /> #JBFSIRListings #JBFSIRChappaqua #JBFSIRWestchesterCounty #BeyondTheCity #JBFSIR #SothebysRealty #WestchesterCounty | A Test Account for Vin | 12 | https://facebook.com/vintestaccount | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56445 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/28/25, 11:23 PM | 1703105780 | 1743222193 | 65 | 191095237326349 | 3 | 8.2648664258986E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 109572922413704 | 0 | academics.com | 23855290280300316 | academics.com | Subscribe | NONE | image | Sign up for our free job newsletter! | Register with academics now, free of charge, and set up your own personal search profile. | https://www.academics.com/register-now?wt_zmc=sm.ext.aca.facebook.paid_Q1_2023_c.acacom_register.bild_ad.joanna.x | 1688110356 | 1.095729224137E+14 | academics.com | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/356999497_2606912972783442_1997938492624420208_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B2RI4DGdL2wAX911Y6Z&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfqjruILvxWqYPTHjK7bYQaRaVA0c3ldsGa8_xorcA3w&oe=65892854 | person_profile | 0 | academics.com | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/356879837_121858874278002_8031336787688135817_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BwBn8zQbQSUAX--7_IR&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAZrc47lujlWPbx6IE0XnlM4_X6fNnUVb0Z5HNftKpASA&oe=6588F272 | 0 | 3 | Joanna Fafinska from Poland found a job as Research Fellow at the University of Hamburg with <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Facademics.com%2F&h=AT2oYMilLNOBaNe-D5a7kvwiWpLVVtlQzrsXYS9WCCRaDqFPFXvUFqm3lhh6QGCdtCJ_tBd9myIcTZmCF54zpKMx2oHC7iGwRoCbYo-vgV-ZA2_1pZJntlFZ0Ttybp2j27_68V_j9-NMwrGWlZCJPy-veBwiLO1RIgaStA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">academics.com</a>! Sign up for our job newsletter and find your new job in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. | academics.com | 28882 | https://facebook.com/academicscom | 0 | SUBSCRIBE | 1701331200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56961 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 1:01 AM | 1703105786 | 1743228087 | 65 | 1054204359257765 | 8.9788543133228E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101770051918501 | 0 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 120200721115290167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679000 | 1.017700519185E+14 | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404549215_1715815735586018_265815704509471861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AcKROjmBac0AX8ZI5RB&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBdAhwuq74tVUkaEQNXZ5O6LCbiTdktXE8yDdQbxDolag&oe=6588F442 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing | 320 | https://facebook.com/100070822398497 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56443 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/29/25, 3:48 PM | 1703105780 | 1743281328 | 65 | 707120411109368 | 1 | 3.1302240832029E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 127142853819695 | 0 | Namegift Shop 274 | 120201049444570037 | myteez.store | Shop now | NONE | image | Buy More Save More! | Worldwide Shipping | https://myteez.store/joanna-dls33 | 1701402799 | 1.271428538197E+14 | Namegift Shop 274 | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/392954184_344807524840040_1530862720817700610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=to8LLNGXJWUAX-E9x6j&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD9YtmPgwPoxIDo3ipfCDjzmHNl8f0la2GF_epcBJo5Tg&oe=6588B735 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Perfect gift for Your Family ♥<br /> Order here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fjoanna-dls33&h=AT163OOZq7TY-Z8igArexg70JSi7OOabLfKFSNO1PR60glOdTV4znfWM4TdJgvWRwbtPzPRtbO_S03-NfFrHL8AZiIYnCew55YJ0p2zTXCNIRvw24IZ0oED9zgFYtYm3c-nyhEdqV8oFGdR9s-q9HiKcbMUEjZMk1socdw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/joanna-dls33</a><br /> Collections >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmyteez.store%2Fcollection%2Fjoanna&h=AT3O2plfxr2DxJcjpj9DiCdJ6LDr4bergBBiDp55BJhcGek0XG4olevAS9kShZeEcKCmJ7pDsEpDIEnCcf6124C_pgqpOmak4DII8oZ4qAaIKcMSJ6cYfnmB-OaR5p99_Q7gMkNNPtHftFZ7qYYL_5Idn-HEpJOC7_N2vg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://myteez.store/collection/joanna</a> | Namegift Shop 274 | 0 | https://facebook.com/61552076155592 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56391 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/21/25, 11:20 AM | 1703105780 | 1747844419 | 65 | 2392357607617358 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202275411560275 | domesticatedcompanion.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1701655339 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406676066_689185026638219_315121369330471079_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=05cuO956OGoAX-0jIag&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCr3mXU_fO6TUIhz5uKgXMhCVKgpD1n8LIkKcxtqavC0g&oe=6588686F | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 605 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1701590400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55519 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 3:23 AM | 1703105770 | 1743323016 | 65 | 1351004492189548 | 1 | 8.4773618715135E+14 | 1702800000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202765856910465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702702307 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411071793_1569955880207973_2619546808143837206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sMO_nQxSQV8AX_mmYkr&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDpkJkRG4NKPKm5jf9RcjYQsBvNmNTADGcV_w57_xphWQ&oe=6588B782 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411171518_288736263660353_6975689600204394979_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cPX3OMJIBKoAX-Q05x1&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAueIE7jEONyG3wYwOQl35Gh1EyURj9wLn4RMjKYaCGBQ&oe=6588C77B | 0 | 3 | 💔💥Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55297 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/14/25, 5:54 PM | 1703105768 | 1749941676 | 65 | 352739687400724 | 1 | 1.0951930814751E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 367759046768391 | 0 | Joanna Mietus Photography | 6534189346096 | instagram.com | Book now | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannamietusphotography | 1703006848 | 3.6775904676839E+14 | Joanna Mietus Photography | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412354905_895042301833478_837739557693545631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L3J-ur8r7-YAX8eMF0h&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAwJVzAyxZSeENF-QBO_P1QIzwxCS1dJmQxGQmLJSi5yQ&oe=65881386 | person_profile | 0 | CHICAGO | SAN DIEGO| FLORIDA|POLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412336026_1068730787499476_2554318209428354566_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z-X-xUo6OCAAX-Ii9iS&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAYhffH2EvdqLg2ESwwH-3iG-dOTH9PZxcbMlWgKKhUPA&oe=6587728F | 0 | 3 | Welcome to the world 💝#newbornphotography | Joanna Mietus Photography | 2285 | https://facebook.com/asiamietusphotography | 0 | BOOK_NOW | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56061 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/14/25, 5:55 PM | 1703105776 | 1749941728 | 65 | 735417488002505 | 1 | 1.2623060413146E+15 | 1702281600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110625302121558 | 0 | LeNovel2 | 120204974489690427 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702287492 | 1.1062530212156E+14 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409583048_817774670149669_7782665171628745141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d9ltaqALSgEAX9ttycT&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDw1HgeB9HHzwC2WgHGXSN4gq15Z2qfkMbwzgV_yv50vw&oe=65877DED | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel2 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409472521_729054095396016_2239528544911639489_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wj4dHPakiYwAX-aQqOl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAWiJ9M3u9g2O1-cvvk_opok8NwCiBmQA1IeN5ZtLedzg&oe=6587F93E | 0 | 3 | After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩 | LeNovel2 | 188 | https://facebook.com/100095229736776 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702281600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56987 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/26/25, 6:09 PM | 1703105786 | 1745708990 | 65 | 2755908371225642 | 1.1104183366128E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105318458419634 | 0 | Fully Delicious - Images | 120200721278410167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679319 | 1.0531845841963E+14 | Fully Delicious - Images | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404558025_3293112430978708_5909986734546003458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-G2EFL55magAX9r9da5&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBo2iRAuUkD2TxgcEa9aw1qwu-nisX5ENMDeL5c3LSV4A&oe=6588DFB9 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Fully Delicious - Images | 711 | https://facebook.com/100069380589760 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55688 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 1:18 AM | 1703105772 | 1746166740 | 65 | 1606529126811836 | 1 | 3.3129626956709E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 108594095633452 | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 120202671802320379 | snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com | Book now | NONE | image | Need Dental Care? We've Got You Covered! | Call today for exceptional dental services in EVERETT | https://snohomish.pilchuckdentistry.com/new-patients | 1702576845 | 1.0859409563345E+14 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411071605_1362780961273116_9093172307171422129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UczmV-u1uWgAX9CSwAT&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBgfyboKNkHNhY_VppAeh9yZn7CixSjCz1P8IvKzbH8A&oe=6588C115 | person_profile | 0 | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411162429_25255833064007620_5553173373446858348_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Uwwvlb-eFYMAX9F1Fv7&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAP7p5qZNt2EYtaulehd49prVYe_kAvmYZAD_DmlM1Z2Q&oe=658804DC | 0 | 3 | Hey Snohomish community, I'm Dr. Huy Ngo, or Dr. No – your friendly dentist on a mission to keep your smile in top-notch shape! <br /> <br /> I've been passionate about dental care since 2009 when I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). <br /> <br /> Later, I pursued my dreams at Roseman University, graduating with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2018.<br /> <br /> Pilchuck Family Dentistry is now serving Snohomish and its surrounding areas. <br /> <br /> I strive to provide top-notch care for you and your loved ones, offering a wide range of services from routine check-ups to cosmetic procedures. Your dental health is my utmost priority.<br /> <br /> As a mom of two adorable kids, Kai and Joanna, I understand the value of gentle and compassionate dentistry for the whole family. <br /> <br /> When I'm not perfecting smiles, you'll find me enjoying cooking, hiking, gardening, and creating cherished memories with my loved ones. <br /> <br /> Don't wait – book your appointment today, and let's achieve a smile that lights up your world! | Pilchuck Family Dentistry | 6 | https://facebook.com/100094510184320 | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56745 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 1:28 AM | 1703105784 | 1746167326 | 65 | 1464703220756866 | 1 | 1.0011749843202E+15 | 1700985600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201632248600115 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700797000 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625072_1023439315618650_3181816721466191003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P00j5_wPImsAX_vBKjM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDSovsSYTufR8G9fo_2CGMtzvVuzUC6dzisHNSP3Ase9g&oe=658941E1 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403622065_704949621313276_1015645405678050824_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cFDTA_HKbNIAX-MQBH3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDrQs5a3y7BQQdaAG1-WY61Ot5Bd6mRI_MfcylR05q8zQ&oe=6588BE5F | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700899200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55506 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/4/25, 7:03 PM | 1703105770 | 1751673812 | 65 | 261294993328526 | 1 | 6.6878626879264E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 311136718916927 | 0 | Leonis Summer Houses | 120201986702620647 | leonis.gr | Book now | NONE | image | http://www.leonis.gr/ | 1702292176 | 3.1113671891693E+14 | Leonis Summer Houses | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/408476791_1009640686760613_7363818524127732107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5OMOUjLCIrgAX9eNMcW&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCkrp98lrq8khxTgT762rTfKjqsraeslev0k7KiK6k8Ow&oe=65881E27 | person_profile | 0 | www.leonis.gr | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406825562_3598161450473036_6281783793428032350_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=woK2ZZpYwrIAX-9iRJf&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA-6JWNLN9n0eUTjoT2GIN-duCj8qNxZifMUICJH7DlSQ&oe=6587C0B6 | 0 | 3 | There are several words that keep showing up on our guests’s comments, such as “view”, “relaxed” and “friendliness” for example. One word you won’t miss though, even if you read just a couple of reviews, is “breakfast”.<br /> <br /> Probably the greatest evidence of how seriously we take our guests’ experience at Leonis Summer Houses is the love and care that we have put in creating the hotel’s signature breakfast. <br /> <br /> Every morning, a local bakery brings us different kinds of bread, all made with traditional recipes. At 7:00 am, we start baking butter croissants (that’s right, butter, not margarine croissants, we just can’t stop spoiling you), along with savoury treats like the adored spinach pie and sweets like the creamy “bougatsa” pie. This way, you get to enjoy the rich flavour of freshly baked goods with every single breakfast.<br /> <br /> Breakfast preparation includes all the vitamins you need to start your day, with the cutting of fresh fruits for your colourful fruit salad and squeezing oranges for your juice. As if the Greek yogurt we serve wasn’t delicious enough on its own, we provide you with honey that we buy from an actual farmer - not from a supermarket - and traditional sweets that pair incredibly with your yogurt.<br /> <br /> The marmalades we use consist 100% of fruit, there’s no sugar added. Every day should be a cheat day when it comes to our chocolate spread though. Use that thing on a croissant and moan like Meg Ryan on “When Harry Met Sally”. <br /> <br /> To top it all off, you get your morning boiled eggs and a variety of cold cuts and cheese. Once you’re finished, you should expect to get hungry again at dinnertime. What raises the breakfast experience to a whole other level is the fact that you get to enjoy it on your terrace, with a breathtaking sea view.<br /> <br /> Treat yourself to the LSH experience by making your reservation online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT289-APDbzkwJEga7yoUBLQoov0KcocGycpQqsojWW590ceaU1acZF7h26Kyxev6KITjexLYRHiPtAPfwQUdJEq3OVjtSMFr9OxttiD15WwspXguTJ50Uu6CNf0i_xLXxqv3InXZptsWhtJT7BTTZBJE7ejk208Y29K2g" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or by sending your request at welcome@leonis.gr<br /> <br /> Season Premiere on 20 April 2024<br /> <br /> #mykonos #greece #travel #hotel #photooftheday | Leonis Summer Houses | 9129 | https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55406 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/4/25, 1:41 AM | 1703105769 | 1749019261 | 65 | 232777803177342 | 1 | 3.7364827190796E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 111185688900179 | 0 | PUNCHY'S | 6547521492166 | punchys.com | Shop now | NONE | carousel | PUNCHY'S | https://punchys.com/collections/womens-apparel | 1702930509 | 1.1118568890018E+14 | PUNCHY'S | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410727328_902634031509545_2941752541419944764_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TGPN6gy3KNcAX-Qqb51&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCmghwa12FrGBwa9PYf9EQoaKXwCpFljtyiMIXtGEkRWA&oe=65890A49 | person_profile | 0 | PUNCHY'S | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410725646_1174005053569580_5832001784143683315_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MMu7LKzV5HkAX9ZY8aL&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCyj-49hmxGzTSW56ecs-VKJ-XXH_LDqK5jNaUMhp43VA&oe=6587EFC2 | 0 | 3 | Be bold. Be classic. Be PUNCHY. Shop now and elevate your style game. #ModernMeetsSouthwest 🌵🌟<br /> <br /> Shop new arrivals now! | PUNCHY'S | 41567 | https://facebook.com/ShopPunchys | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55599 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 5:55 AM | 1703105771 | 1743332120 | 65 | 1264870997775897 | 1 | 7.0174311838409E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 102733795339737 | 0 | Bee County, TX | 120208020275760456 | newsbreakapp.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Breaking news from Bee County! | Brawlin' in the Aisles: Waco, Texas H-E-B Becomes Unexpected Ring for Epic Showdown!. I blame Chip and Joanna Gaines. The fight in the video a the bottom of this article probably would not have gone down if it weren't for the duo's famous Fixer Upper TV show. Stay with me now. | https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qAHsidA?s=fb_ads&c={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}} | 1702630765 | 1.0273379533974E+14 | Bee County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409931874_2195780980625383_2521069723501699646_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1RrxhJ0IPlIAX9AZ_2D&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfB18vuAQ0XMrEFXMSZwNXOAR3IWfTBEnpa8V946-whJ8Q&oe=6588741B | person_profile | 0 | Bee County, TX | https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409929047_1320634475321676_2664469509728330527_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zxsepLsnSS0AX-Ijrfd&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfATV1eDpDtdueGzlQtkedU8-28UGaUYirR_tDSai-VJ_g&oe=6588D5B9 | 0 | 3 | Bee County News: Fists and Pork Rinds Fly During Chaotic Waco, Texas H-E-B Brawl. | Bee County, TX | 43 | https://facebook.com/100068272359098 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702627200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55359 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 9:15 AM | 1703105769 | 1743344155 | 65 | 1505640386670030 | 2.5809983036598E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951492540043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum.... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963157 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412365227_355615213720484_3900075498115094981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ym_3YdAb4kAAX9U4Qux&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBOf5mTV8Uv_8RzMEvtLb9kurP1UHMEeJZ9K5VVu8Pp1w&oe=6587C92B | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 años, está sufriendo actualmente de varias enfermedades después de años de ser maltratada y de hábitos mortales que aprendió de sus propios padres, el difunto Ryan O'Neal y Joanna Moore. "He pasado por mucho", dijo Tatum. Aquí hay más información sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55702 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/6/25, 1:08 PM | 1703105772 | 1746554909 | 65 | 384972890638948 | 10 | 3.6125688964328E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 105224482388282 | 0 | HeraldWeekly Español | 120202081944140160 | heraldweekly.com | No button | NONE | image | Con tristeza compartimos la noticia acerca de Chip y Joanna Gaines quienes confirmaron que... | El anuncio de Chip y Joanna Gaines | https://www.heraldweekly.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story-es/ | 1702544044 | 1.0522448238828E+14 | HeraldWeekly Español | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411098456_1521869388590170_3323085431667119281_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e0TWx2jEPwoAX-j7p16&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBwVVvPm29TMl4n4NzxY9LE6fWFYG89Ml6DvY-0Xa9J1Q&oe=658887D7 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Chip y Joanna Gaines dejan estupefactos a sus admiradores con la noticia. | HeraldWeekly Español | 604 | https://facebook.com/heraldweekly.espanol | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702540800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56615 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/8/25, 4:55 AM | 1703105782 | 1746698148 | 65 | 1872998099764028 | 1 | 3.5173681754097E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 298516343584252 | 0 | Monica Murphy | 120202351764520268 | amazon.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🏈 Sports Romance FREE in Kindle Unlimited | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZJZ6RQF?maas=maas_adg_BF9FDB4C01CA75B337EF8CB2858ECFD1_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas | 1701106075 | 2.9851634358425E+14 | Monica Murphy | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404711407_158402494028088_8185392459489839721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=maII1F-q-TwAX_18CLP&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDcnb3IZAkDWOdIeUBX6uAKuJIog0NnX6HXd5nNo1tj5Q&oe=658940F0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Joanna, a reserved junior at Colorado University, lives a life far removed from the spotlight, preferring the quiet lanes of academia to the uproarious fame of campus sports. But her world tilts on its axis when Knox Maguire, the star offensive tight end and a campus legend, strides into her bookstore sanctuary. In him, she sees everything she vowed to avoid—a mirror of her athlete father, a man she has cut out of her life.<br /> <br /> Yet, fate has other plans. Thrown together by chance, Joanna becomes Knox's unlikely English tutor, an assignment that sparks a forbidden attraction. Each session blurs the line between professionalism and a smoldering desire that even the hushed corridors of the library can't contain. Knox, known for his player persona, finds himself genuinely captivated by Joanna's quiet strength and sharp wit, challenging her guarded skepticism and awakening a passion she's never dared to explore.<br /> <br /> But as their academic roles tangle with unspoken emotions, Joanna is haunted by lingering doubts. Is her heart safe with Knox, or is she just another name in his playbook? Torn between the pull of desire and the fear of vulnerability, Joanna stands at a crossroads. In a world where campus fame collides with scholarly duty, can love truly conquer all, or is it destined to be another lesson learned?<br /> <br /> 'Playing Hard to Get' is a tale of forbidden love and hidden depths, where the stakes are not just academic success, but the risk of falling hard and fast. Will Joanna and Knox's story defy the odds, or will it succumb to the pressures of a world where notoriety and quiet dreams seldom meet? | Monica Murphy | 50003 | https://facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55591 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 11:55 PM | 1703105771 | 1743396925 | 65 | 7466917366661429 | 1 | 8.9349904199102E+14 | 1702713600 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120203925409170613 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/3bw5npofyz0yjotryds4lqbb?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702632558 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411210765_7541939825829754_4796600207141455735_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZdK3RfGMeewAX-K82ta&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC9p8MSNxHiMcoMaGpfLdI-tX8fbFSoNjljU2hxekxNjg&oe=6588CA15 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!" | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702713600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55875 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 2:14 PM | 1703105774 | 1746213290 | 65 | 3600244693555511 | 1 | 1.0203046423834E+15 | 1702540800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120202434477910465 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 👉Lire la suite 📜Le retour de son ex-femme inégalée📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/5alnvv1llnjglcqjkzvf5kgr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702447739 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409983714_302644249425860_6797206439093851882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hOqRrEJXUjMAX-GHm6o&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBLK5fkRRgamfwgiFXeFBolJzQryBah7fZnM9xhsTuXZQ&oe=65877042 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409937786_1098003334527180_2084004830227083951_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CEMTkXtlvWIAX8oHE9q&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAP8WlMp0_ZIksWpYNn2IttA5az_X5oShXPu9AJeLiq9A&oe=65880A0B | 0 | 3 | Après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Joanna allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène. <br /> De façon inattendue, le lendemain, Joanna a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 100 millions de dollars.<br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Cela faisait quatre ans.<br /> Elle vient de disparaître complètement de son monde.<br /> Jusqu'à quatre ans plus tard, Joanna est revenue avec ses fils et un autre homme.<br /> Même s'ils étaient divorcés, Bruce se sentait toujours trompé et même trahi<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> Il était minuit et les gouttes de pluie martelaient la fenêtre.<br /> <br /> À l'intérieur d'une maison, un homme dit froidement: "Signe les papiers du divorce! En compensation, je te donnerai 100 millions de dollars de pension alimentaire."<br /> <br /> "Ai-je encore fait quelque chose de mal, Bruce?" demanda timidement Johanne Fontaine. Elle avait toujours été une humble servante devant lui.<br /> <br /> "Roxane est de retour, et elle ne veut pas te voir! Il est temps que notre mariage prenne fin. Alors tu dois partir!" dit Bruce Chevalier en croisant ses longues jambes et en s'adossant au canapé. Il était aussi beau qu'une sculpture grecque cltootshieique, mais son regard était toujours aussi froid.<br /> <br /> Les lèvres pâles de Johanne frémissent comme si elle était tombée dans l'eau glacée. Elle demanda avec surprise: "Tu divorces parce qu'elle est de retour? Notre mariage n'est-il qu'une plaisanterie pour toi?"<br /> <br /> "Tu n'étais pas celle que je voulais épouser au départ, et tu as fait fuir Roxane il y a deux ans avec tes sales coups. Maintenant qu'elle est revenue, je ne ferai pas la même erreur. Dépêche-toi de signer les papiers! Quatre-vingts millions de dollars pour deux ans de ta vie pathétique. Tu devrais considérer que c'est une bonne affaire". Bruce avait toujours été doué pour la blesser avec des mots.<br /> <br /> "Je... Que se ptootshieera-t-il si je ne les signe pas?" demanda amèrement Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Fais comme tu veux. J'ai des moyens de te faire disparaître. Légalement ou non, personne ne le remarquera."<br /> <br /> En tant qu'héritier de la famille la plus riche de la ville de Greyport, Bruce avait toujours été capable de faire ce qu'il voulait. Qui oserait lui tenir tête de toute façon?<br /> <br /> Il y a deux ans, la famille de Johanne a décidé de se lier à celle des Chevalier par le mariage.<br /> <br /> Cependant, lors du banquet de fiançailles de Bruce et Roxane, la demi-sœur de Johanne, l'homme a été drogué. Plus tard dans le salon, ce dernier a confondu Johanne avec Roxane, et ils ont couché ensemble!<br /> <br /> Le lendemain, le scandale de la relation entre la fille aînée du groupe Fontaine et son beau-frère fait la une des journaux.<br /> <br /> L'état mental de Roxane Fontaine s'est dégradé et elle a été envoyée dans une maison de repos à l'étranger pour y être soignée.<br /> <br /> Tout le monde a pris Johanne comme la briseuse de ménage la plus éhontée, la pointant du doigt pour avoir couché avec son beau-frère!<br /> <br /> Bruce la détestait encore plus et a décidé que c'était Johanne qui l'avait drogué et avait grimpé sur son lit.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, la famille Chevalier et la famille Fontaine partagent une amitié depuis des générations. Ce mariage devait d'ailleurs permettre d'approfondir ce lien.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, les aînés des deux familles, Raymond Fontaine et Marguerite Chevalier, ont insisté pour que Bruce et Johanne se marient.<br /> <br /> Les deux dernières années de mariage avaient été un enfer pour Johanne!<br /> <br /> Sa tolérance et son affection n'ont pas amélioré la situation. En retour, elle a eu droit à davantage d'humiliations et de tortures. Johanne est épuisée, tant mentalement que physiquement.<br /> <br /> Et si Bruce voulait divorcer? Elle en avait tootshieez de toute façon!<br /> <br /> "Bien, je les signerai, mais j'ai une demande à faire."<br /> <br /> "Crache le morceau alors!" Bruce croyait que Johanne pensait à plus d'argent!<br /> <br /> Après tout, c'est ce qui l'intéressait, elle, la femme intrigante.<br /> <br /> "Je veux que tu couches avec moi comme un vrai amoureux, pour une fois. Ces deux dernières années, chaque fois que tu as été avec moi, tu as prononcé le nom de Roxane. Oui, tu m'as fait sentir que j'étais la pire femme du monde, et j'en ai tootshieez! Je suis ta femme, et je veux que tu cries mon nom en faisant l'amour avec moi pour la dernière fois. Je suis Johanne, pas Roxane!" Pour la première fois, Johanne poussait des cris hystériques et tremblait de colère!<br /> <br /> À chaque fois au cours des deux dernières années, Bruce a délibérément prononcé le mauvais nom! Il avait des relations sexuelles avec elle uniquement pour la punir et l'humilier. Il n'y avait aucun amour là-dedans!<br /> <br /> "Oh, arrête tes bêtises. Quelqu'un m'attend en bas..."<br /> <br /> Johanne s'ébroua d'un rire moqueur.<br /> <br /> Alors c'était probablement Roxane qui l'attendait en bas!<br /> <br /> "Elle peut attendre encore un peu. Cela fait deux ans qu'elle attend, et je pense qu'elle peut être tootshieez patiente pour quelques minutes de plus. Fais ce que j'ai dit ou pas. C'est comme tu veux. Cela ne me dérange pas que les médias écrivent à nouveau des histoires sur moi!"<br /> <br /> Bruce détestait le plus être menacé. Ses lèvres fines se retroussèrent en un ricanement. Quelques secondes plus tard, il répondit: "Bien, je vais le faire. Mais ne le regrette pas, Johanne!"<br /> <br /> Bruce se redressa d'un coup, la saisit par le chemisier et la tira violemment.<br /> <br /> Et puis...<br /> <br /> Ses bas ont été déchirés...<br /> <br /> L'homme ne lui a même pas donné d'avertissement avant de lui faire du mal!<br /> <br /> "Ah!" s'écria Johanne en fermant les yeux de douleur!<br /> <br /> Bruce était aussi impitoyable que jamais, presque cruel.<br /> <br /> Il ne s'est jamais soucié de savoir si cela lui faisait du mal ou non. Ou peut-être que le fait de la voir souffrir lui plaisait tout simplement!<br /> <br /> Bien! Très bien!<br /> <br /> Elle s'en souviendrait, se remémorant la cruauté de cet homme à son égard pour le reste de sa vie.<br /> <br /> "Johanne. Ah, Johanne. Es-tu heureuse maintenant?"<br /> <br /> Il finit par l'appeler par son nom alors qu'il est sur elle.<br /> <br /> Bien que ce fût toute une humiliation, elle put enfin se débarrtootshieer de la dépression qui l'avait hantée pendant deux années entières.<br /> <br /> Johanne sentit des larmes couler sur ses joues alors qu'elle disait d'un ton navré: "Bruce Chevalier! Je ne t'aimerai plus!"<br /> <br /> Bruce avait entendu ce qu'elle avait dit mais avait choisi de l'ignorer. Il attrapa sa mâchoire avec mépris, baissa les yeux sur son visage et ricana!<br /> <br /> Elle était belle!<br /> <br /> Cette femme avait un visage si joli et si innocent, mais son esprit était rempli de saletés et de stratagèmes.<br /> <br /> C'était pourquoi son soi-disant amour pour lui ne ferait que le rendre malade.<br /> <br /> "Signe les papiers du divorce, prends l'argent, et quitte Greyport pour toujours!"<br /> <br /> Après avoir dit cela, Bruce est parti sans se retourner, la laissant allongée sur le sol, en mauvais état.<br /> <br /> Deux mois après...<br /> <br /> Dans un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Félicitations, Mme Fontaine, vous êtes enceinte de plus d'un enfant. Mais je vous suggère d'abandonner un ou deux des fœtus, sinon il y aura trop de risques!"<br /> <br /> Abandonner?<br /> <br /> Non, elle n'enlèverait le droit de vivre à aucun de ses enfants!<br /> <br /> C'était ses bébés et seulement les siens! D'une manière ou d'une autre, elle allait les mettre au monde et les élever correctement...<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> Quatre ans plus tard!<br /> <br /> Dans l'unité de soins intensifs d'un hôpital.<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolé, nous avons tout essayé, mais Raymond ne va pas mieux. Vous devriez rentrer et lui dire adieu!"<br /> <br /> Shaun Fontaine fronce les sourcils, inquiet, et dit: "Doc, pourriez-vous essayer quelque chose d'autre? Si mon père ne peut pas survivre, tous les biens de la famille Fontaine seront légués au gouvernement... oh, que faire... aucun d'entre nous n'a vu Johanne au fil des ans. Bon sang, et mon père aussi. Nous ne savons pas à quoi il pensait. Comment a-t-il pu ignorer ses petits-fils qui l'accompagnent tous les jours tout en se souciant uniquement de cette misérable fille qui est la mienne!"<br /> <br /> Tout le monde dans la famille Fontaine était misérable ces jours-ci.<br /> <br /> Raymond, le père de Shaun, a rédigé un étrange testament sur son lit de mort.<br /> <br /> Il a laissé 51% du Groupe Fontaine à sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne. Quant aux autres membres de la famille Fontaine, ils n'hériteraient que de 10 %.<br /> <br /> Autrement dit, Johanne deviendrait la plus importante actionnaire du Groupe Fontaine.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, selon la condition supplémentaire du testament, si Johanne ne se manifeste pas avant la mort de Raymond, toutes les propriétés de la famille Fontaine iront directement à l'État.<br /> <br /> Ainsi, la famille Fontaine cherchait désespérément Johanne depuis quelques jours.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, c'était comme si Johanne avait disparu du monde!<br /> <br /> Personne n'a jamais entendu parler d'elle et ne l'a jamais vue une seule fois depuis qu'elle et Bruce ont divorcé.<br /> <br /> "De mon point de vue, cette fille fait tout simplement exprès de s'opposer à nous! Personne ne sait où elle est allée pendant toutes ces années!"<br /> <br /> La seconde épouse de Shaun, Ingride Fontaine, jurait furieusement, et son visage se tordit un peu.<br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle, avec les jumeaux dans le ventre, a expulsé la mère de Johanne et Johanne de la famille. Puis Ingride a donné naissance à son troisième fils, pensant que sa position dans la famille était absolument tootshieurée.<br /> <br /> Elle ne s'était jamais attendue à ce qu'elle n'aurait rien à la fin.<br /> <br /> De ses trois enfants, le vieil homme préférait toujours cette fille Johanne.<br /> <br /> "Papa, maman, grand-père est réveillé!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... ma Johanne..." Raymond était dans le coma depuis plus d'une douzaine de jours. Ses heures étaient comptées.<br /> <br /> Et avant sa mort, sa seule préoccupation était pour sa petite-fille aînée, Johanne.<br /> <br /> Johanne avait disparu depuis quatre ans, et cela inquiétait tellement Raymond. Il soupçonnait même Ingride d'avoir en quelque sorte tootshietootshieiné sa petite-fille bien-aimée.<br /> <br /> "Papa, Derick, Rayan et Roxane ne sont-ils pas tous tes petits-enfants? Ton testament n'est pas juste! Tu ne leur laisses pratiquement rien! Ils pourraient tout aussi bien sortir dans la rue et mendier pour vivre si tu insistes pour tout donner au gouvernement!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Laisse-moi voir Johanne. Tu n'auras pas un sou avant ça..."<br /> <br /> Ingride a crié à voix btootshiee: "Cela fait quatre ans, Raymond! Qui sait où elle est allée? En plus, si elle tient vraiment à toi, comment peut-elle ne pas venir te voir pour la dernière fois?"<br /> <br /> Une pointe d'impatience traverse le regard de Roxane, et et elle ne peut s'empêcher de demander: "Bruce, sais-tu où est ptootshieée ma sœur?"<br /> <br /> Bruce s'est figé parce qu'il ne connaissait pas la réponse à cette question.<br /> <br /> Il y a quatre ans, après leur divorce, Bruce pensait que Johanne allait continuer à le harceler ou au moins faire une scène!<br /> <br /> Contre toute attente, le lendemain, Johanne a déménagé. Elle n'a emporté avec elle que ses papiers d'identité, pas même la carte bancaire qui contenait 8 millions de dollars.<br /> <br /> Et pendant ces quatre années, il n'y avait eu aucune nouvelle d'elle. Bien sûr, aussi fier que soit Bruce, il ne l'a jamais contactée non plus.<br /> <br /> Cela faisait quatre ans!<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Bruce ne croyait pas qu'elle se laisserait aller si facilement! Il avait préparé tant de plans pour se débarrtootshieer d'elle lorsqu'elle se présenterait. Pourtant, il s'est avéré qu'il n'avait besoin d'aucun d'entre eux!<br /> <br /> Elle a complètement disparu de son monde.<br /> <br /> "Johanne... Johanne!"<br /> <br /> "Oh, vas-y, grand-père est en train de mourir! Va chercher les médecins..."<br /> <br /> Le moniteur ECG a indiqué à tout le monde que le cœur de Raymond s'arrêtait de battre. En larmes, les membres de sa famille se sont rtootshieemblés autour du lit!<br /> <br /> Ils pleuraient, non pas la mort prochaine de Raymond, mais pour les biens qui allaient être légués!<br /> <br /> Tape, tape, tape...<br /> <br /> Du couloir de l'hôpital est venu le bruit des talons hauts!<br /> <br /> Craquer.<br /> <br /> La porte de la salle a été poussée.<br /> <br /> Celle qui est entrée portait un costume blanc fait sur mesure! Elle tenait dans ses mains une Hermès en édition limitée, et des lunettes de soleil surdimensionnées couvraient la majeure partie de son visage! Ses jambes fines sont déjà tootshieez longues, mais les chaussures à talons hauts les mettent encore plus en valeur!<br /> <br /> Elle est entrée avec le genre d'ambiance de beauté glacée, semblant faire baisser la température dans la salle!<br /> <br /> "Qui est cette femme? La connaissions-nous? Qui l'a autorisée à être ici?"<br /> <br /> "C'est moi. Je suis ici pour voir mon grand-père!" Johanne enleva lentement ses lunettes de soleil et se dirigea vers le lit!<br /> <br /> "Johanne!" Les autres haletèrent tous.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tellement changé!<br /> <br /> Ses longs cheveux noirs qu'elle avait l'habitude de garder lisses étaient devenus bruns bouclés. Il avait l'habitude d'atteindre sa taille, mais maintenant le bout dansait autour de son épaule. Elle avait complètement changé de la gentille fille d'à côté à une femme de carrière mature et sexy!<br /> <br /> Ce qui est encore plus remarquable, c'est que Johanne est apparue beaucoup plus mince qu'auparavant. Elle mesurait un mètre quatre-vingt-dix, mais semblait peser à peine quatre-vingt-dix kilos! Entre-temps, l'innocence de cette paire de grands yeux s'était également vidée. Il suffisait de la regarder dans les yeux pour comprendre qu'elle avait dû vivre beaucoup de choses ces dernières années!<br /> <br /> "Johanne? Oh, enfin, Johanne! La famille Fontaine sera ruinée si tu ne te montres pas..."<br /> <br /> Pour la première fois, tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient si heureux de revoir Johanne!<br /> <br /> "Je suis désolée, grand-père. Je suis désolée d'être en retard!"<br /> <br /> "Johanne," Raymond cria et ouvrit à peine les yeux," je suis heureux que tu sois saine et sauve. Oh, je peux enfin être soulagé..."<br /> <br /> Sur ce, Raymond tendit la main, mais la seconde suivante, sa main retomba faiblement sur le lit, sa tête pencha et ses yeux se fermèrent!<br /> <br /> Bip!<br /> <br /> L'ECG bipait, déclarant la mort de Raymond!<br /> <br /> "Grand-père? Grand-père!" cria Johanne, les larmes coulant sur ses joues.<br /> <br /> Elle savait que son grand-père était le seul Fontaine qui se souciait d'elle!<br /> <br /> "Ah, allez, arrête ces fausses larmes! Tu aurais été là depuis longtemps si tu t'étais soucié de ton grand-père! Maintenant qu'il est temps de parler d'héritage, tu es venu?" dit Derick, le fils aîné de Shaun. Le sarcasme dans son ton était évident.<br /> <br /> Il n'avait jamais pris Johanne comme sa sœur aînée, et maintenant qu'elle était la plus grande bénéficiaire de l'héritage de Raymond, Derick la détestait encore plus!<br /> <br /> "Ça suffit. Appelle quelqu'un et organise d'abord les funérailles", dit Shaun. Raisonnablement affligé, il tapote l'épaule de Johanne." Johanne, maintenant que tu es de retour, reviens à la maison!"<br /> <br /> Les lèvres d'Ingride se retroussèrent avec dédain, mais elle disait joyeusement: "C'est ça, viens vivre avec nous ! De plus, ton grand-père a fait un testament sur son lit de mort. Il veut que tu hérites de 51 % du Groupe Fontaine! La maladie a dû lui embrouiller le cerveau. Comment a-t-il pu laisser une entreprise aussi importante à une fille qui n'y connaît rien? Johanne, tu es encore jeune et naïve. Laisse ton père continuer à diriger l'entreprise!"<br /> <br /> Ingride a dit cela comme si Johanne était censée suivre ses instructions. Au fond d'elle-même, elle était convaincue que cette dernière était aussi stupide que sa salope de mère!<br /> <br /> Au moment où Johanne reviendrait dans leur maison, elle serait sous le contrôle total d'Ingride!<br /> <br /> Johanne est restée sans expression. Elle dit froidement: "Je ne veux pas penser à cela maintenant. Je veux juste m'occuper de grand-père d'abord!"<br /> <br /> "Oui, oui, tu as raison sur ce point. L'enterrement de Raymond est la chose la plus importante maintenant. Tout le reste peut être remis à plus tard!"<br /> <br /> ..............................................................................<br /> C'était en fin d'après-midi après que la maison mortuaire ait récupéré le corps de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Johanne est sortie de l'hôpital avec les autres!<br /> <br /> "Où habites-tu? Mon chauffeur te ramènera!" dit Bruce. Sa voix était un peu rauque parce que Johanne ne lui avait pas adressé la parole une seule fois avant cela!<br /> <br /> Johanne sourit poliment et serre les clés de la voiture dans sa main. "Merci, mais c'est moi qui ai conduit jusqu'ici!"<br /> <br /> Le regard indifférent sur son visage donnait l'impression qu'elle était simplement polie envers un parfait inconnu.<br /> <br /> Pourtant, Roxane a compris que Bruce était en train de draguer Johanne. Son visage s'est tootshieombri et, rapidement, elle a pris affectueusement le bras de ce dernier en lui disant: "Johanne, pourquoi ne reviendrais-tu pas vivre avec nous? Au moins, tu ne seras pas seule, et..."<br /> <br /> "C'est plus facile pour moi de rester dans un hôtel. Au revoir!" Johanne a poliment fait un signe de la main et s'est dirigée vers le parking souterrain!<br /> <br /> Bientôt, une Bentley argentée est sortie du parking et a démarré en trombe devant la foule!<br /> <br /> "Il semble que ma sœur ait bien vécu ces dernières années! Elle pouvait profiter d'une vie si riche sans aucune aide de la famille!"<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a pas répondu.<br /> <br /> Pendant les quatre années d'absence de Johanne, Bruce n'a pas épousé Roxane. De plus, pendant cette période, il s'est rendu compte que cette dernière n'était tout simplement pas celle qu'il lui fallait.<br /> <br /> La seule raison pour laquelle il n'a pas rompu avec Roxane était à cause de sa famille. La famille Fontaine était riche, mais ce n'était rien comparé à la famille Chevalier. Cependant, les aînés des deux familles étaient des amis proches! C'est pourquoi la famille Chevalier avait toujours pris soin de la famille Fontaine!<br /> <br /> À part cela, il y avait une autre raison cruciale. Il y a dix ans, Bruce a failli se noyer en nageant, et c'est Roxane qui l'a sauvé! Depuis lors, il a juré qu'il aimerait et protégerait cette fille pour le reste de sa vie!<br /> <br /> "Johanne a toujours fait des efforts depuis qu'elle est toute petite ! Elle est intelligente et douée avec les hommes ! Tu vois ses beaux vêtements et sa voiture ? Elle a dû se mettre en ménage avec un homme riche ! Contrairement à elle, Roxane, tu es toujours stupide et innocente, et les gens essaient tous de profiter de toi!" Ingride semblait faire l'éloge de Johanne, mais il n'était pas difficile de comprendre ce qu'elle sous-entendait.<br /> <br /> "Maman, de quoi parles-tu?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, je veux juste que tu apprennes de Johanne. Tu vois comme elle se débrouille bien? Les filles comme elle ne nous inquiètent jamais, où qu'elles aillent. Il n'y a plus beaucoup de filles aussi intelligentes qu'elle!"<br /> <br /> Bruce était en quelque sorte un peu contrarié." Ingride, Roxane, je dois y aller. J'ai une réunion importante ce soir."<br /> <br /> "Oui, bien sûr. Conduis prudemment, d'accord?" dit Ingride avec un sourire flatteur, de peur d'offenser le futur mari prometteur de sa fille!<br /> <br /> Bruce n'a rien dit de plus, s'est retourné et est monté dans une voiture...<br /> <br /> Après avoir vu la voiture de Bruce quitter les lieux, Roxane tape du pied de colère. Elle se plaint: "Tout est de ta faute, maman! Tu n'aurais jamais dû mettre cette salope de Johanne dans son lit il y a six ans! Il n'a plus jamais parlé de m'épouser! Et maintenant qu'elle est de retour, qu'est-ce qu'on va faire?"<br /> <br /> Ingride grince des dents. Ce dont sa fille se plaignait était ce qui lui faisait le plus de peine.<br /> <br /> Elle avait tout bien conçu il y a six ans.<br /> <br /> D'abord, elle a drogué Johanne. Puis elle a envoyé la jeune fille directement dans la chambre de Bruce, convaincue que ce dernier était trop ivre pour faire quoi que ce soit.<br /> <br /> Après cela, Ingride a informé un groupe de Paparazzi, leur suggérant d'écrire un drame sur la façon dont Johanne s'est jetée dans les bras de son beau-frère. Elle s'attendait à ce que cette fille soit privée de son droit d'héritage après avoir déshonoré la famille.<br /> <br /> Mais elle ne se doutait pas que cela se retournerait contre elle.<br /> <br /> Bruce a en fait couché avec Johanne.<br /> <br /> Et puis les choses lui ont échappé. Sous la pression de Raymond Fontaine et de Marguerite Chevalier, Bruce finit par épouser Johanne.<br /> <br /> En pensant à cela, Ingride dit: "Je l'ai fait pour toi, petite sotte. Bon sang, tout ça à cause de ton grand-père! Ce vieux con a toujours favorisé cette salope de Johanne! EEh bien, maintenant que le vieux est mort, voyons qui peut défendre la petite pute cette fois-ci!"<br /> <br /> "Mais maman..." Roxane était toujours inquiète.<br /> <br /> Même si Bruce avait été bon avec elle pendant des années, elle pouvait voir la frigidité dans ses yeux.<br /> <br /> L'homme a rarement souri depuis qu'il a divorcé de Johanne.<br /> <br /> Au fil des ans, il était devenu totalement un bourreau de travail. Il fallait parfois trois ou deux mois à Roxane pour le voir une fois.<br /> <br /> "Ne t'inquiète pas. Cette idiote de Johanne est aussi stupide que sa défunte mère! Nous sommes en train de nous éloigner d'elle. Pas avant qu'elle ne renonce d'abord à sa part d'héritage..."<br /> <br /> Dix jours plus tard, c'était l'enterrement de Raymond.<br /> <br /> Il pleuvait bruine. Tous les membres de la famille Fontaine étaient arrivés au cimetière sauf Johanne. En plus de cela, les meilleures personnes de Greyport se sont également présentées pour rendre hommage.<br /> <br /> Sans parler des journalistes qui se rtootshieemblaient devant le cimetière.<br /> <br /> Après tout, Raymond Fontaine était un gros bonnet à Greyport. Alors, bien sûr, ses funérailles étaient bien ciblées.<br /> <br /> "J'ai entendu dire que Raymond voulait que la fille aînée de la famille Fontaine hérite du Groupe Fontaine."<br /> <br /> "Oh, mon dieu, cette fille est vraiment astucieuse. Elle a séduit son beau-frère il y a six ans et a forcé sa sœur à partir. Puis elle est devenue celle qui s'est mariée dans la famille Chevalier à la place de sa sœur, et maintenant elle est la directrice du Groupe Fontaine. C'est impressionnant!"<br /> <br /> "Ha! Et alors? C'est juste une garce intrigante. Elle a été mise à la porte par la famille Chevalier, n'est-ce pas? Une telle femme est tout simplement dégoûtante!"<br /> <br /> Ingride était folle de joie en entendant les chuchotements de la foule. S'efforçant de maintenir le regard triste sur son visage, elle a dit: "Puis-je avoir votre attention s'il vous plaît? Tout d'abord, je voudrais tous vous remercier d'être venus aux funérailles de Raymond, et..."<br /> <br /> Un journaliste intervint: "Madame Fontaine , est-il vrai que Johanne va prendre la relève du Groupe Fontaine en tant que nouvelle dirigeante?"<br /> <br /> Ingride marqua une pause avant de répondre: "Je ne vais pas être dérangé par d'autres choses en ce jour extrêmement pénible. Mais pour une entreprise aussi grande que le Groupe Fontaine, la parole d'un seul homme ne peut faire effet. Nous avons besoin d'une réunion du conseil d'administration pour choisir le bon directeur exécutif!"<br /> <br /> "Madame Fontaine, pourquoi Johanne n'est-elle pas là un jour si important?"<br /> <br /> "Ha, c'est la question que vous devriez lui poser..."<br /> <br /> Pendant qu'elle parlait, à l'extérieur du cimetière vinrent soudain des bruits de moteurs.<br /> <br /> Une longue Rolls-Royce pénétrait dans le cimetière, suivie d'une flotte de Mercedes.<br /> <br /> "Regardez cette plaque d'immatriculation. Il semble que ce soit la voiture de M. Grimm!" Les journalistes sont tout excités et se précipitent vers la Rolls-Royce.<br /> <br /> Oui, cette Rolls-Royce appartenait à Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Il y avait deux jeunes hommes riches bien connus à Greyport. L'un d'eux était Bruce Chevalier, et l'autre était Jayden Grimm.<br /> <br /> Deuxième fils du magnat des casinos de la ville de Venturas, il dirigeait également une société de divertissement appelée Starlight Media. Plusieurs nouvelles stars du showbiz étaient des artistes sous le contrôle de sa société.<br /> <br /> Contrairement à Bruce, qui gardait un profil bas, Jayden avait toujours été un homme de publicité.<br /> <br /> Les portes de la Rolls-Royce s'ouvrirent lentement et Jayden sortit le premier.<br /> <br /> "Wow, c'est vraiment M. Grimm!" La presse s'avance comme des mouches qui hument le sang.<br /> <br /> Après que Jayden soit sorti de la voiture, il s'est tourné de l'autre côté et a aidé une femme vêtue de noir à sortir de la voiture comme un vrai gentleman.<br /> <br /> "Est-ce...? Wow, c'est Johanne Fontaine!"<br /> <br /> "C'est une blague. Que faitGrimm avec une femme comme elle?"<br /> <br /> Comme ils étaient tous étonnés, un à un, sont sortis deux adorables gosses vêtus de minuscules costumes noirs.<br /> <br /> Les garçons doivent avoir entre 3 et 4 ans.<br /> <br /> Et cela a fait l'effet d'une bombe, suscitant l'intérêt de tous! | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55783 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 11:55 AM | 1703105773 | 1746204929 | 65 | 959150842526497 | 5 | 1.3989916943323E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170653559665554 | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 6590548020609 | https://joannavargas.com/la | Book now | NONE | dco | {{product.name}} | {{product.description}} | https://joannavargas.com/pages/75-off-first-treatment | 1702494394 | 1.7065355966555E+14 | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409728879_262630593159226_8158335693366864435_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xC3JVPm_RmAAX8dlZ_P&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCFqES1iUSOw4PuCne6aXmjQn7PyjDHT8J43bxkQ2e5Hw&oe=65889321 | person_profile | 0 | Joanna Vargas Skincare | https://scontent.fdet3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411083319_878717250504526_6027856571930297217_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YpbVB4ntjI4AX_BUcYy&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCnGCIu6ZxPPNP6PZkJzaB7hNCBTsIkApjEGPYvh23ZIQ&oe=658758DA | 0 | 3 | {{product.brand}} | Joanna Vargas Skin Care | 819895 | https://facebook.com/JoannaVargasSkincare | 0 | BOOK_TRAVEL | 1702454400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55387 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 12:57 PM | 1703105769 | 1743357423 | 65 | 1303190687058764 | 7.047505505317E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120205710204060405 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702954276 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412400062_2651174775054267_1914219163660318452_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Vx1DXQk6HzEAX-KeZ54&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDhpUVcmRG6C_z9KEXkhcG50LLB8dvlL7BiIV5k0iQiqw&oe=6589212A | person_profile | 0 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412126280_5782304781894609_2369895328356057350_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vrPzQ-UImDoAX-7-X-j&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3xvGcnP0Gae7zfT6un3gCmBTvVDYxnUUuF5cRaPFwTw&oe=65889E97 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56558 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 12:58 PM | 1703105781 | 1743357525 | 65 | 1529981071168796 | 1 | 3.4512987477803E+14 | 1702368000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685798850123 | enjoyab.com | Download | NONE | image | The Return of the War Legate | A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend. | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053220 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/400908717_887579006323818_9182981695985331558_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gYogckq4tZUAX_EdNN-&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDWLw6xr6fGezJylzhtjVapNZkEkJZ7_wkKBiHFHnXmHA&oe=6588E8A4 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402302809_389938566701746_7290811667980466580_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AR0BGCiTuGEAX-tyT7T&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAHFvebdYavszXTZLazzvMlrttzAk5ovrOU_GWGesocTA&oe=658919FB | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55371 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 1:33 PM | 1703105769 | 1743359596 | 65 | 1034351754466380 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143418360280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702962946 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412466787_289867306880533_3595375201897464129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FwLqMejTS5cAX-d8jSN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDVYikOzvSs9mw67yTQqiyrGgeEPu19EXtmPoR4Iayc3Q&oe=65877189 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56933 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/30/25, 2:47 PM | 1703105786 | 1743364043 | 65 | 787706549827534 | 1.7938580343989E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 102865022224801 | 0 | Tell All Know All | 120200721466810167 | en.kckingdom.com | No button | NONE | image | Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook | 1700679791 | 1.028650222248E+14 | Tell All Know All | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403762291_1473273089884334_200510394569536447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=myoXacbeIywAX_1BHEl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8CjfFNypp3ZvQ1B0Db-IIaNRxVcdGpzuvE508Qw9xOQ&oe=65890CC0 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported. | Tell All Know All | 330 | https://facebook.com/100076181432751 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55313 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 12:17 PM | 1703105768 | 1746206240 | 65 | 1146752882965697 | 1 | 2.137973779887E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 140625782461340 | 0 | Kalostv_official | 120202476888120743 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Love Born From A Contract | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702977149 | 1.4062578246134E+14 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411398007_728805695786036_5185749127996424760_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZMcN6b9mk7EAX8Ik0me&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCE-hvk_mgK5N4xxmRph0BJN46Rdtul2w31OnfFSPFFZQ&oe=6587B3A6 | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv_official | https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411404958_1108250583511040_4898940076456981939_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-UhYp739_vwAX9ibpey&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCsCQ1T9BUkg2-He8EcZwo5cRgZdaJ2s08-PP-Ta63cNQ&oe=65874952 | 0 | 3 | 😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️🔥 | Kalostv_official | 414 | https://facebook.com/61551046398055 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56113 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/14/25, 10:34 PM | 1703105777 | 1749958454 | 65 | 3519063485074238 | 2 | 8.5982685230466E+14 | 1702281600 | ig_ads_identity | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100662392307897 | 0 | joannapegier.art | 120201910245210431 | instagram.com | Visit Instagram profile | NONE | carousel | http://instagram.com/joannapegier.art | 1702162836 | 1.006623923079E+14 | joannapegier.art | https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343572976_3489330761282565_5896789005078121418_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=ISoysyYVYxcAX84GLfb&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfBrRbYBYTrpjanL5t-o_ZwV7qZqiuUDeV3bAkA7tMdJ1w&oe=65892D4D | ig_ads_identity | 1 | Joanna Pęgier | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409503503_320194817523727_6087843149105999640_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CYQRKPJQcmUAX8sYLDJ&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDvgd7Z43Un5NCXgsGnoXdrtBgFkhfubS_O-YU5ayYvEQ&oe=6587920B | 0 | 3 | 🇺🇸Greetings from Miami Beach 🇺🇸<br /> 😍 My latest artwork "Scream" from the series "Into Myself", digital art technique, has qualified for one of the most important art events in the world! Art Week Miami Beach!<br /> <br /> 👉In my series of paintings "Into Myself", I portray our bodies as sacred in moments of intimacy and honesty with ourselves.<br /> <br /> I am there only in spirit and represented by my work, showcased by a Swiss gallery - next time together😉😀<br /> ❗️Attention, I have tickets available if any of you happen to be in Miami, let me know. 😍😀!<br /> <br /> #artcurator #modernart #contemporaryart #abstraction #contemporaryartist #polishart #polishartist #exhibition #artforsale #malarstwopolskie #artgallery #artcollector #artweekmiamibeach #galeriasztukiwspółczesnej #galleryofart | joannapegier.art | 0 | https://www.instagram.com/_u/joannapegier.art | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | 1702108800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56690 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/15/25, 12:14 AM | 1703105783 | 1749964483 | 65 | 253094940808986 | 6 | 2.4725411142976E+14 | 1701504000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1640843592827570 | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | 6495769223556 | embodiedphilosophy.com | Learn more | NONE | video | https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday | 1700488723 | 1.6408435928276E+15 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403604594_706496401407873_3386959245189523628_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fd7TmYzDhhIAX8lHb83&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCENZhMHslzUAx448VvRDOxCTmpo6tjWuDSf5oX2sAQPw&oe=6587BF9B | person_profile | 0 | Embodied Philosophy | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403603740_3617283778488076_2538065533749317892_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oQTvuzwoEdEAX_j-1ob&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDAW-VZn6m_jQAYEhPmtlsJq2gStf9an_NCwc3GhqNyYQ&oe=65889989 | 0 | 3 | "This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW --> | Embodied Philosophy | 81240 | https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700985600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56771 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 5:35 PM | 1703105784 | 1746225301 | 65 | 851080789993255 | 2 | 7.3378963530712E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120203220452630404 | excellentbf.com | Download | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://excellentbf.com/wf_land_page/4410.html?language=en×tamp=1700582161500&channelCode=WIENF1000016&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700582563 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402645130_904904874373725_4760821050236009315_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dXYJp2BMdQkAX9hG519&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCvn7mJ3KCXkdLEB7ouDm552740nroBLn3pMxabgUDz3A&oe=6587F3A4 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402636097_753831166669537_3380063276467178655_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1-AbYLOa4M8AX-QFe2m&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDXXXR-8JzZyIifS526vWrO8GgD2TneAXcdUP9mDFnCAQ&oe=65874A39 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t support her studies without the company.”<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious. “Sam, Celine is trouble. She won’t hand the company back to you and might even think of other ways to attack you.”<br /> <br /> “I have to try,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped protesting because she knew Bailar was Samantha’s sweat and tears. “All right then, I’ll go with you. If there were more of us, she would be less likely to do anything.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, Sam, we’ll go with you!” Adaline chimed in.<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. If everyone went together, Celine probably would not get physically violent.<br /> <br /> If it was one life, it would not be that much of a problem. But if a whole family was involved, things might blow up.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “Sam, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll get Bailar back.”<br /> <br /> Samantha glanced at Adrian but did not say a word. She pretended to not hear what he said.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Swallowston, Alyanz Chamber of Commerce.<br /> <br /> This was the city’s biggest chamber of commerce and a lot of the corporations and companies were under it, including Bailar.<br /> <br /> Devin was the reason Samantha had been kicked out of Alyanz. Together with Celine’s help, they managed to bankrupt Bailar.<br /> <br /> Samantha had been forced into giving away her company to Alyanz.<br /> <br /> Today was the first day of the takeover, so Celine announced a few days ago that there would be an agreement-signing event to take over the House of Bailar from Samantha in an attempt to gain more investments and partnerships.<br /> <br /> A crowd had gathered at Alyanz Tower, among which included executives from several corporations.<br /> <br /> After breakfast, Samantha, Rue, Adaline, and Adrian arrived at the crowded building.<br /> <br /> Samantha walked up to the door and spoke to the security guard, “Hello, I’m Samantha Cowell. I need to speak to Ms. Celine. Please let us in.”<br /> <br /> The guard was named Chris Tatum and was a relative of Celine’s. He was Alyanz Tower’s head of security.<br /> <br /> Chris turned to Samantha, then looked at her from head to toe with a perverted smile on his face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was beautiful. With her pencil skirt on, her long legs looked enticing. On top of that, she had a pretty face and an air of elegance. Chris was enjoying just ogling at her.<br /> <br /> “You’re Samantha Cowell? Did you see what the sign says?” Chris smirked and pointed at a warning sign not far from them.<br /> <br /> Samantha turned around and saw the sign that said, “Samantha Cowell and dogs are not allowed.”<br /> <br /> When Samantha read that, she was triggered. She felt sad and wanted to cry. Humans had dignity, but Celine had put hers on the same level as dogs.<br /> <br /> “Do you see it now? You have the same status as dogs. Do you think you can get in? Piss off.” Chris waved his baton at her.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath to suppress her anger, but Adaline was not going to let Chris humiliate Samantha. “You’re comparing Sam to a dog? You’re just a security guard. Who gave you the guts? Get out of the way!”<br /> <br /> “Oh? Throwing a tantrum are we?” Chris smirked.<br /> <br /> “What are you going to do? Bite me?” He challenged them.<br /> <br /> “I think what you need is a good beating.” Adrian was angry and slapped Chris in the face.<br /> <br /> Chris flew backward and the smug look on his face fell away. A few of his teeth flew out and he hit the ground.<br /> <br /> Adrian’s sudden outburst shocked Samantha and she went to stop him. “Are you crazy?!”<br /> <br /> Adaline and Rue were shocked too. Chris was a relative of Celine’s. Beating him up would mean trouble.<br /> <br /> “You… You hit me?” Chris shook as he shakily got back on his feet.<br /> <br /> Adrian frowned. “You best believe I’ll have you killed.”<br /> <br /> Chris wiped the blood off his face, picked up his baton, then yelled. “Trying to be smug, huh? Beat him up!”<br /> <br /> All the surrounding security guards rushed over. Chris took the lead, but before his baton could hit anyone, Adrian slapped him again.<br /> <br /> His skin broke and blood started oozing out. Adrian then took a step forward, picked him up, and punched him in the jaw.<br /> <br /> Crack!<br /> <br /> Chris howled in pain. His jaw cracked and he made a gurgling sound.<br /> <br /> The other guards who were rushing over immediately stopped in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Adrian let go and Chris fell to the ground and writhed in pain. He looked at Adrian with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Rue, and Adaline were stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They knew that things had gone out of control.<br /> <br /> Snapping out of it, Samantha took a deep breath and yelled, “Adrian Xander, have you lost your mind?! Do you know that you just got us into a lot of trouble?!”<br /> <br /> “We need to leave now!” Rue was almost in tears and tried to pull Adrian away<br /> <br /> He had beaten up Celine’s men. She surely would not let this go.<br /> <br /> “Move!” Adaline yelled as tears fell because she saw that Adrian was refusing to leave. She was disappointed in him for being so impulsive.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at his family and saw that they were all shaking. He said, “Mom, Sam, this is nothing. I’ll get General Summers to settle this. Let’s head inside.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 7<br /> It was better if Adrian had kept silent.<br /> <br /> After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?”<br /> <br /> Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away.<br /> <br /> “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here.<br /> <br /> There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own.<br /> <br /> “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.”<br /> <br /> She thought that was the only way out.<br /> <br /> Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise.<br /> <br /> But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—”<br /> <br /> But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building.<br /> <br /> Samantha and Rue lost their minds.<br /> <br /> Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!”<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.”<br /> <br /> She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason.<br /> <br /> Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The event venue was filled with people.<br /> <br /> Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight.<br /> <br /> This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness.<br /> <br /> “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him.<br /> <br /> Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back.<br /> <br /> Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.”<br /> <br /> His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems.<br /> <br /> Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage.<br /> <br /> It was Celine Blanche.<br /> <br /> “The president is here?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!”<br /> <br /> A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too.<br /> <br /> “Alas!” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha.<br /> <br /> Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered.<br /> <br /> Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement.<br /> <br /> “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked when they heard this.<br /> <br /> “The legate is coming?”<br /> <br /> “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!”<br /> <br /> “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?”<br /> <br /> Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city.<br /> <br /> When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?”<br /> <br /> “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!”<br /> <br /> Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck.<br /> <br /> But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?”<br /> <br /> “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said.<br /> <br /> Rue stopped arguing the matter.<br /> <br /> Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.”<br /> <br /> “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?”<br /> <br /> Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything.<br /> <br /> Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him.<br /> <br /> Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye.<br /> <br /> “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha.<br /> <br /> When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’”<br /> <br /> The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up.<br /> <br /> Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.” | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | DOWNLOAD | 1700812800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55339 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 3/31/25, 11:57 PM | 1703105769 | 1743483440 | 65 | 876330390836205 | 1 | 8.9505623562072E+14 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 170171882842047 | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 120207260706920777 | website.metronovel.com | Learn more | NONE | image | The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle/loadzm1hdubcnxm3zufdvscv?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1702966463 | 1.7017188284205E+14 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412434020_1327736581278423_4398926649513028032_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zixuhkXmtVoAX_2NGcz&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCsXXuvM68bXkYIXqNqybwCejnlDmKUQIgTTrEnoJyaLg&oe=6587CB21 | person_profile | 0 | MetroNovel Zy 01 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412399809_3559545264261082_1774732929949777720_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cimpIRzBBt4AX9Kr0w5&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCZTVHx9rm_tMD24S5FVI_3D_tcLdRoHetDBe4qWEGRaQ&oe=65874FB8 | 0 | 3 | Bruce was pinning her arms to the wall, making it impossible for her to struggle. He was so tall and oppressive that Joanna could barely breathe.<br /> "Don't you love it when I do such things to you? I didn't expect that after four years, you would still like pretending to be an innocent girl." Bruce sneered, his big hands running wild over her body.<br /> "Bruce, we're divorced.I've figured it out just now that there are many men out there who are so much better than you! Divorcing you is the best thing that ever happened to me."<br /> And that succeeded in pissing Bruce off completely. He jerked his head down and shut her mouth with his furious kiss. | MetroNovel Zy 01 | 12 | https://facebook.com/61553201678717 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55355 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 10:38 AM | 1703105769 | 1743521916 | 65 | 257831390398101 | 2.9387042645447E+14 | 1702886400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120203143700200280 | en.onechicagocenter.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais... | https://en.onechicagocenter.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-br-occ&src=facebook | 1702963072 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410020309_243357215443722_5629172979757188871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0d3Ry3mvgaQAX-eGTN6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBuVmtiU8VdhYzDbL_oaadK5ZnjJKYyiZTeLOmvZQOYCA&oe=65885708 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, de 60 anos, está agora a sofrer de várias doenças após anos de maus-tratos e hábitos mortais que aprendeu dos seus próprios pais, o falecido Ryan O'Neal e Joanna Moore. "Eu passei por muita coisa", disse Tatum. Aqui está mais para saber sobre Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702886400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55344 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/11/25, 3:49 PM | 1703105769 | 1744404568 | 65 | 1033295014450934 | 14 | 1.7640580406882E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108482371656615 | 0 | Celebratized | 120202951472390043 | en.lastnighton.com | No button | NONE | image | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré... | https://en.lastnighton.com/view/?id=tatum-oneal-facts-es-lno&src=facebook | 1702963076 | 1.0848237165662E+14 | Celebratized | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411079635_975606220419557_7407835480805041454_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-vzBmDh9HBgAX_4GMsb&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDme8qLCbDSDKuX_QSpHKfRDSHfaMTEL7l5JYO8wdYqog&oe=65885548 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tatum O'Neal, 60 ans, souffre actuellement de plusieurs maladies après des années de mauvais traitements et de mauvaises habitudes qu'elle a apprises de ses propres parents, feu Ryan O'Neal et Joanna Moore. "J'ai beaucoup traversé", a déclaré Tatum. Voici plus d'informations à connaître sur Tatum. | Celebratized | 5097 | https://facebook.com/100075750675644 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56876 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 12:31 PM | 1703105785 | 1743528668 | 65 | 303290659276073 | 3.3582069914797E+14 | 1700726400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1766516823604324 | 0 | Penguin M.D. | 120201779071030250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700678105 | 1.7665168236043E+15 | Penguin M.D. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404281049_663826785738975_691301604766854849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ykNp0-Tw4SgAX_EjRIs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCZUZD3HLGBfqF6iiQJX4ohKnPTGmwvS8sWiMgRf9GR_w&oe=6588FE11 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. Here's the horrific story of Jonnell Matthews. | Penguin M.D. | 2209 | https://facebook.com/PenguinMD | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56926 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/1/25, 12:33 PM | 1703105785 | 1743528809 | 65 | 688629506741743 | 5 | 1.3699666969605E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 109755664976719 | 0 | Ginger's Notebook | 120201778998720250 | en.showsnob.com | No button | NONE | image | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered. | https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook | 1700677962 | 1.0975566497672E+14 | Ginger's Notebook | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404501919_1399764947592984_5324204061772205548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kXFCrrITZpIAX-KI23l&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCAEwXWIQ_IsbHWPJDq0buz-ClK7eX7e-Ekad-5jTVD3g&oe=65876157 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews. | Ginger's Notebook | 327 | https://facebook.com/100078799066083 | 0 | NO_BUTTON | 1700640000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56832 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/2/25, 8:29 PM | 1703105785 | 1748914149 | 65 | 257251350681446 | 1 | 1.0258422351995E+15 | 1700812800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 101489936134366 | 0 | OasisStory | 120201611860910115 | yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | image | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony." | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1700722774 | 1.0148993613437E+14 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403625160_900002664413720_7010086864778607309_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CA5H5ZRI-gIAX-tajlu&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDwRBrWuuYZOwLXidY_qqz6y84UKdDITkkhR_gTznFGfA&oe=65890E41 | person_profile | 0 | OasisStory | https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403615362_307229918815519_9013283510315281144_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U4aj9uOO2RYAX-Fz1VD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBdjZZqOHcNaro-J6NP5fU_QemqV4diSr2XHkzNsx6qkA&oe=658925A4 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | OasisStory | 2866 | https://facebook.com/100087803393468 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1700726400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56666 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 7/7/25, 2:15 PM | 1703105783 | 1751915723 | 65 | 7542655879095153 | 1 | 9.0154172150906E+14 | 1701158400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281130370596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068508 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405677896_293798912999317_3831682598797242344_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ezpaEFtFlk4AX9P-McO&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA067ykDyMJFfIJIKfSoIFlwMgC8JrMtlXJA8bxGA_LjA&oe=6587D0B8 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405672311_6920573434645176_2623798356379212555_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HIlwyqka2KgAX-mdiio&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDjaF0O-hAUp-U8si5aj6uFpl40LszTBL9tP6aB4RqS0w&oe=65884690 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56554 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 7:55 AM | 1703105781 | 1743598539 | 65 | 671479131770011 | 1 | 3.4654224204545E+15 | 1701244800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120200685799220123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1700053290 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/401002409_1447878682608252_6342164575096879067_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BK6aOwtsl7wAX_SSJ63&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAm-W4_gdnlxzhB9ZFaLQ96NdBJpe-l8KGFGRJ8PKUXpQ&oe=65888669 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402344519_1335828550628406_2091806208911085822_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nr9KhF-BUKYAX_jSOrz&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8U1oNW-NISVBA6Ksgfm44dtW6LduncKX6SZaOk19KLg&oe=65892073 | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701158400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56505 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 6/29/25, 8:38 PM | 1703105781 | 1751247527 | 65 | 349722057641202 | 1 | 2.0513516589888E+14 | 1701331200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100293226489497 | 0 | Fane Wood | 120201240371740123 | enjoyab.com | Learn more | NONE | video | The Return of the War Legate | https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en×tamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1701259766 | 1.002932264895E+14 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404707988_308485548668398_5780286725084810472_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=otOXDECMPMQAX9i5BAH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_tVMOlUCVBkpgXl0cUPaVu-RImWkabY0Z-LglF-cRxw&oe=65877B35 | person_profile | 0 | Fane Wood | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406081204_1515247942663639_6201444692566248877_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2_7cCcBOkUgAX89-Gac&_nc_oc=AQklM5EEI0WW1-fPn9Js0MaaL1pE_soEcE4YmRtuMwk1hBJ3c4KFWefkIEgwg1M4toQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB0-78_U2qfWlgGC9w44wK-0kn9Odt6aR_lUZwizlQvzw&oe=6587B53C | 0 | 3 | After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> ***<br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> ***<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s | Fane Wood | 2180 | https://facebook.com/100095108408459 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701244800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55385 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 12:50 PM | 1703105769 | 1743616241 | 65 | 668156488806327 | 7.047505505317E+15 | 1702972800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 275758569814605 | 0 | Cooking 4 All | 120203385143570075 | cooking4all.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Joanna Gaines From Fixer Upper Breaks Silence | HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b... | https://cooking4all.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-bt/ | 1702952510 | 2.7575856981460E+14 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412321028_620672853446388_6734689367951789045_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZLuE6ATUm7oAX-R4fsp&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDM1oXe_IeqqS1FmLKMiKKglFWFjOouWD99qcF7RjoncA&oe=65889C4E | person_profile | 0 | Cooking 4 All | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412282060_697366295504367_2695054175640574716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dyP145SCZdEAX-IV9q4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBMgUOGYT8Shegb2xxf10HVhsQwNo8QOCrz9rhNKFvn-Q&oe=65879A90 | 0 | 3 | Producers tried to keep this from the public for the longest time, but now, not only did Joanna break silence about her husband but we also learned what happened behind the scenes that ended the show. | Cooking 4 All | 2026 | https://facebook.com/Cooking4AllFeed | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1702972800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56650 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 5/2/25, 3:23 PM | 1703105782 | 1746217430 | 65 | 879608400555582 | 1 | 3.6195811621291E+14 | 1701072000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104897268381196 | 0 | LeNovel | 120203281134650596 | www.yumread.com | Learn more | NONE | video | 🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜 | https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/tzdymgh4o0rmc1yjet0j5jkj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701068519 | 1.048972683812E+14 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404773511_757160076187137_6103140457007384400_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=COroUMExg-oAX9_83ig&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCWtKjs7OnCoBmnZAm0uoiCJo229XDT9AF60mUjLmetSQ&oe=65893581 | person_profile | 0 | LeNovel | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405675041_751793440325534_4918771251469829367_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7ePMAHKtQOkAX9V-rTZ&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfB7NdiJanrNu0_hqAua1_31VXiAysAgOOxlENQ9mduWUA&oe=65883E66 | 0 | 3 | 🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app) | LeNovel | 702 | https://facebook.com/100077514365255 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701072000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56422 | 1 | active | 12/20/23, 2:56 PM | 4/2/25, 2:39 PM | 1703105780 | 1743622756 | 65 | 380989554270562 | 2 | 3.5706944564777E+15 | 1701763200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 131952903330419 | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | 120200879004210773 | website.kalostv.com | Learn more | NONE | video | ❤️🔥Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/s1zyyxshudwq0tjet0qt2b0k?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}} | 1701424003 | 1.3195290333042E+14 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407393257_3467409040238714_5988519937306100646_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yQu4x_eolG8AX-oVWUC&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBrNHR_HQSQqKfrA6j1LGNszuS6T8-AdxlnEaJtWz6xqw&oe=6589240C | person_profile | 0 | Kalostv-short drama | https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/407403630_934143908277828_6836896048264888137_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HNyBRYHG0CcAX_iwnx7&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDn9c83Q-5-VDFTdyL_IN6aR7cGGh_1fEaN0btac7J7Vw&oe=6588898F | 0 | 3 | ❤️🔥The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"<br /> 👉Click to watch more about📜<Love Born From A Contract>📜 | Kalostv-short drama | 3633 | https://facebook.com/61551551210077 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1701417600 | View Edit Delete |